June 11, 2016
EUGENE, Ore. -- Ashley Henderson missed out on a NCAA individual title by 0.01 seconds, taking second in the 100-meter dash for San Diego State Saturday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. Henderson also anchored the sixth-place 4x100-meter relay, leading the Aztecs to a 20th-place team finish with Michigan.
It was SDSU's fourth top-25 finish in the last five seasons.
Henderson ran a time of 10.96, only trailing Oregon's Ariana Washington's 10.95. It would have been a school record for Henderson, but the wind was over the allowable range at 2.6 meters per second. The second-place showing got San Diego State eight team points
Henderson is the Aztecs' fourth NCAA runner-up since Shelia Burrell took over as head coach for the 2010 season. SDSU also has four national champions since 2010.
Earlier in the day, Henderson anchored the 4x100-meter relay with Starlynn Singleton, Simone Glenn and Micha Auzenne to a sixth-place time of 43.68. The time was the second fastest in program history, trailing only Thursday's time of 43.55 set in the semifinals. The sixth place was good enough for three points for San Diego State.
In the discus throw, meanwhile, Alexa Evans came in ninth with a best of 178-04 (54.36). Rachel Alesi also competed and came in 12th with a heave of 175-11 (53.62m), just missing the nine-person final.
"What a year this group of women had," Burrell said. "They are making history and everyone in the SDSU track and field family should be proud of what these young women accomplished this weekend. It's about legacy. We have a very accomplished track and field history at SDSU and these women just put their names in the record books. There is more to come in the future from this Aztec team."
Henderson has qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials, which will take place from June 30-July 10 at the same historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. She is expected to run both the 100 (July 2-3) and the 200 (July 8-10).
NCAA Track & Field Championships
Hayward Field - Eugene, Ore.
June 9 & June 11, 2016
Final Team Results (Top 5 and SDSU)
1. Arkansas - 72
2. Oregon - 62
3. Georgia - 41
4. Texas - 36
5. Texas A&M - 35
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T-20. San Diego State - 11
Individual Results (SDSU and winner of each event)
(q = qualified for Saturday's finals)
100 Meters (finals) (out of 8 entrants)
1. Ariana Washington (Oregon) - 10.95 (wind-aided)
2. Ashley Henderson (SDSU) - 10.96 (wind-aided)
4x100-Meter Relay (finals) (out of 8 teams)
1. LSU - 42.65
6. SDSU (Starlynn Singleton, Simone Glenn, Micha Auzenne, Ashley Henderson) - 43.68
Discus Throw (out of 24 entrants)
1. Kelsey Card (Wisconsin) - 208-05 (63.52m)
9. Alexa Evans (SDSU) - 178-04 (54.36m)
12. Rachel Alesi (SDSU) - 175-11 (53.62m)
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So close! Congrats to the NCAA runner-up in the 100, #AztecTF's Ashley Henderson! pic.twitter.com/iOQ1mnYc86
-- GoAztecs.com (@GoAztecs) June 11, 2016
Since Shelia Burrell took over as the #AztecTF head coach for the 2010 season, SDSU has 4 individual NCAA titles & 4 runner-up finishes.
-- GoAztecs Stats (@GoAztecsStats) June 11, 2016
#AztecTF finished in a tie for 20th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, SDSU's fourth top-25 finish over the last five years.
-- GoAztecs.com (@GoAztecs) June 12, 2016
#NCAATF Hazelwood Central state champ & @SDSUTrack So Ashley Henderson takes 2nd 100m by .01. 10.96 +2.6w. WOW!! pic.twitter.com/MjwRnxbkI6
-- MissouriTrackFanatic (@MOTrackFanatic) June 11, 2016
Congrats to Ashley Henderson, second place in the 100 m at the NCAA Championship, 10.96. Just .01 behind the winner. Flyin! #GoAztecs.
-- San Diego State (@SDSU) June 11, 2016
Congrats to Ashley Henderson finishing second at Nationals!!! 10.96, wind or no wind that is ROLLING. #goaztecs
-- Ryan Lindley (@RyanLindley14) June 11, 2016