University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Women's Track Action At Penn Relays
April 26, 2001
UCLA freshman Sheena Johnson was a standout for the Bruin women on Thursday during the first day of the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.
Johnson competed in the 400m hurdles and both Bruin relays during first day action at the Penn Relays.
In the women's 400m hurdles, there were seven sections. Johnson and Bruin junior Ysanne Williams ran in section one and the top four times from that section were the top four times of the day.
The winner was Harvard's Brenda Taylor (56.11), followed by Johnson's 56.23, Texas' Angel Patterson (56.76) and Williams' (57.59). Taylor's time is the top U. S. collegiate mark this season and Johnson?s effort is No. 2 in the U. S. Her 56.23 is a personal-best, No. 4 in school history and an NCAA automatic qualifier. Williams' 57.59 is also a personal-best, No. 8 in school history and an NCAA provisional mark.
In the women's 4 X100m relay, there were 11 heats. UCLA ran in heat four, placing first, in a time of 45.29. UCLA's relay team was freshman Sani Roseby, Johnson, freshman Adia McKinnon and senior Shakedia Jones. UCLA's mark did not advance to Friday's collegiate championship race, but it did advance to a consolation final, also on Friday.
The Bruin women's 4 X 400m relay was a late event on Thursday (the result will be posted on Friday). On the Bruins' 4 X 400m relay will be freshman Nicole Gaskins, Johnson, Williams and McKinnon.
Johnson, from Stafford, VA Garfield HS, is familiar with the Penn Relays. The 2000 U. S. Junior champion in the 400m hurdles (with her then-personal-best of 56.82), Johnson last season became the first prep in Penn Relays history to win the 400m high school hurdles three consecutive seasons. For that performance, she was named the Outstanding Female HS Athlete of last year's Penn Relays.
Bruin senior Michelle Perry was to have run on a Bruin relay today, but suffered from food poisoning on Thursday and was unable to run.
In another Bruin event on Thursday, UCLA junior Darnesha Griffith placed sixth in the high jump (5-8).
The Penn Relays will conclude on Saturday. The remainder of the Bruin women's team and the UCLA men's squad on Saturday and Sunday will compete in the Cal/Nevada Championships at UC Irvine.