BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Junior Micha Powell and senior Chioma Onyekwere both completed their 2016 indoor track campaigns Friday evening as the pair competed at the 2016 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. The duo both finished in the top-16 in their events to earn 2^nd Team All-America honors at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Powell ran in loaded heat in the 400 meter event, as all three of her counterparts qualified for the finals. Chrisann Gordan (Texas) won heat two with a mark of 52.28, while Southern California's Jaide Stepter (52.43) and Florida's Kyra Jefferson (52.54) ran the fourth and seventh fastest times in the field.

Powell still out-performed her No. 16 seed in the event, finishing with the 12^th quickest time in the field with a mark of 53.31. She was a little over two tenths of a second off the eighth qualifier spot, but still capped off an outstanding junior indoor season as a first time NCAA qualifier.

Onyekwere took 14^th in the women's weight throw with a toss of 19.49 meters (63-11½). She was a little over a meter short of a first team All-America nod, and had the second furthest throw among Big Ten competitors. UC Riverside senior Vesta Bell won the event with a mark of 22.42 meters (73-6¾).             

Powell, Onyekwere and the rest of the Maryland track and field program will return to competition when the squad kicks off the 2016 outdoor season on March 26. The Terps will host a pool of teams at the Kehoe Track & Field Complex for the Maryland Invitational.

-Terps-