University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Devers Wins 100m Hurdles at USA Championships
June 27, 1999
Eugene, OR - Former UCLA star Gail Devers won the 100m Hurdles at the USA Championships with a time of 12.52 (w2.2), the fastest in 1999 under any conditions.
Devers, who will be inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall, is a two- time World champion in this event but was racing the 100m Hurdles competitively for the first time since 1996.
"Yesterday I felt pretty good being as it was my first competition in a long time," said Devers. "I really wanted to get on the team. Everyone was giving me those words of encouragement, which I really appreciate. Now it's time to go back and train for the World Championships. I'm extremely excited. I don't feel any little owies in my leg. I honestly believe there is a guardian angel on my shoulders taking care of me if you live your life right."
Devers placed second in the 100m with a time of 10.97, just behind Inger Miller's 10.96.
Former Bruin Amy Acuff placed second in the high jump, clearing 6-04. Champion Tisha Waller had a winning height of 6-06.25.
"The priority was to make the team. Everything else was secondary," said Acuff. "Tisha did a great job today. She was tough today. My technique is starting to come together. I haven't had too many meets. I'm looking forward to some more meets in Europe. I think Tisha and I will be battling it out at Worlds, and I think we'll both be on the awards stands."