Maurice D. Williams 03/17/10
NEW
ORLEANS – Hampton University senior Francena McCorory was named National
Female Track Athlete of the Year on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field
and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).McCorory (Hampton, Va.) defended her national indoor title in the 400-meter dash by running an American record 50.54 in the final. McCorory topped the 1991 record formerly held by Diane Dixon, the first female NCAA Indoor Champion at the distance (Ohio State, 1983).
The three-time MEAC indoor champion in the 400-meter dash, McCorory became the first back-to-back NCAA indoor 400-meter champion since Suziann Reid of Texas did so in 1998 and 1999.
McCorory, who also set a collegiate and school record with her time, was also named an All-American in the 400-meter dash by the USTFCCCA. It is her third such honor, having also earned indoor and outdoor All-American honors last season.
Blessing Okagbare of UTEP was named Female Field Athlete of the Year, while Georgia’s Torrin Lawrence was named Male Track Athlete of the Year and Ashton Eaton of Oregon was named Male Field Athlete of the Year.
McCorory and the Lady Pirates will return to action this weekend, when they head to Myrtle Beach, S.C. to compete in the Shamrock Invitational hosted by Coastal Carolina University.