Seun Adigun posted the fourth-fastest time in the nation this season, 12.98 seconds in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, leading the Cougars at the Penn Relays on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Adigun has worked hard to break 13 seconds for four years, so accomplishing the feat did not surprise her.
‘I’ve been waiting and praying for breaking 13 seconds for so long and I knew I could do it. It was just a matter of time (before) I put it all together,’ Adigun said.’
Adigun’s time was a new personal best and set a NCAA regional qualifying mark. The mark also ranks second all-time in school history behind Jenny Adams (12.86 seconds).
Despite these accomplishments, Adigun still seeks improvement.
‘I wouldn’t want to leave the University any other way,’ Adigun said. ‘Getting better every year is the goal.’
Adigun sits atop the C-USA standings in the 100-meter hurdles with a 0.22-second lead over Central Florida’s Tiki James. Adigun received good news Tuesday when she and sophomore Chris Carter received the women and men’s C-USA Track and Field Athletes of the Week.
‘I’m really happy and grateful and I thank God.’ Adigun said, ‘It’s good to know that C-USA recognizes our efforts.’
Carter also had a great weekend, leaping 16.23 meters (53 feet, 2.98 inches) in the men’s triple jump championship. Carter’s mark qualifies him for the NCAA Midwest Regional, May 29-30 in Norman, Okla.
‘I’ve been waiting to get an Athlete of the Week ever since the indoor meet (in Houston), and I’m glad I finally got one,’ Carter said.
Carter placed fourth in the event, surpassing 16 meters for the third time this season. He has the seventh longest jump in the nation and sits atop the C-USA standings in the triple jump, 0.63 meters (2 feet, 0.8 inches) ahead of Rice’s Ugo Nduaguba.
‘I just want to continue to stay consistent and PR (set personal records) a couple more times before I get to Nationals,’ Carter said.
Carter’s teammate, Lamar Delaney, set the Cougars’ third NCAA regional qualifying mark with a jump of 15.23 meters (49 feet, 11.61 inches) in the men’s collegiate triple jump – separate from the triple jump championship. Delaney finished third in the competition, maintaining third place in C-USA.
In the women’s 800-meter relay, sophomore Christie Jones, freshman Whitney Harris, sophomore Candyce Cross and junior Quin’shundolyn McPherson finished fifth in 1 minute, 33.5 seconds.
Cross, Harris, McPherson and sophomore Lindsey Marshall finished eighth in the 1600-meter relay championship, finishing in 3:42.19.
The Cougars will compete in a pair of meets this week at the J. Fred Duckett Rice Twilight Meet today and the Texas Invite in Austin on Saturday.
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The Rice Twilight begins with the men’s hammer throw and women’s javelin at 2 p.m. at Rice Track Stadium.
