JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Latifah Johnson became the first female University of South Alabama thrower to advance to the finals of the NCAA Track & Field Championships when she finished fifth in the women’s hammer throw on the final day of the East Regional preliminary rounds at Hodges Stadium on Saturday.
 
Johnson threw a school-record 61.32m (201-02) on her sixth and final attempt in the prelim finals, qualifying for the national finals where she will join fellow-Lady Jag Lindsay Schwartz (heptathlon) next month at the home of the championships, Drake Stadium.
 
The senior’s measurement marks her fourth USA hammer record of the season. Saturday’s performance also was the second time this year that Johnson has recorded school records in back-to-back appearances.
 
Bobbie Williamson followed Johnson in the women’s hammer, posting a 53.97m (177-01) distance for 28^th-place in the sophomore’s first career regional appearance.
 
Demetre Baker finished 33^rd in the men’s shot put on a mark of 16.93m (55-06.50).
 
Johnson and Schwartz are scheduled to compete in the finals of the NCAA Outdoor Championships on June 6-9 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
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