May 30, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. - University of Maryland senior Michelle Fedrick earned a berth in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships with her fifth-place finish Saturday in the women's 400-meter dash at the NCAA East Regionals.

Fedrick ran 53.36 seconds to earn the fifth and final automatic-qualifying spot for the nationals. It was her second-fastest mark of the season and will send her to Fayetteville, Ark., from June 10 to 13. Francena McCorory of Hampton won the 400 in 52.00 seconds.

Fedrick's individual finish earned four team points for the Terrapins. Maryland tied for 38th place among the 55 scoring teams on the women's side.

Senior Ashley Williams saved her best for her final meet as a collegian in the women's shot put. She had a mark of 48 feet, 0.50 inches to post her career-best. Williams finished 10th in the shot put, placing just one spot out of the final round. She would have needed a put of 48-9 to reach the nine-athlete final.

Williams moved into third place on the Terps' all-time list in the shot put with her mark.

Junior Kristin Reed ran the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, placing 14th in her heat and 38th overall with a time of 11:30.21. Bridget Franek of Penn State won the steeplechase in 9:51.89, setting a meet and stadium record.

Florida State scored 71 points to win the women's team title, with Penn State in second at 60 points and Miami in third at 51.

Florida won the team championship on the men's side, scoring 84 points. South Carolina had 62 points and Georgia had 59 as Southeastern Conference teams swept the top three spots.