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APSU’s Breigh Jones makes 400 meter finals at United States Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Austin Peay State University Lady Govs - APSUDes Moines, IA – Austin Peay State University rising sophomore Breigh Jones is one more strong run away from representing the United States on an international level.

APSU's Breigh Jones

The Memphis, TN native, who recently completed her freshman year on the track and field team at Austin Peay, finished second in Heat One of the 400m preliminary round at the United States Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships, at Drake Stadium, with a personal-best 53.39 mark.

That qualifies her second for the June 22nd 1:46p.m. final, where the top six finishers out of eight qualifiers will be selected to represent the United States at the 2013 Pan American Junior Championships in Medellin, Colombia, on August 23rd through Aug. 25th.

“She looked great,” said Austin Peay assistant coach Valerie Brown. “When it was over, she didn’t look fatigued, so she should be fine tomorrow. No matter what tomorrow brings as far as time, I told her that the goal now is to just make the team. Another personal-best would be great, but the goal is making the team.

“Being at this meet can give a runner the jitters and she said she was a little nervous before the race. I had to remind her what a great athlete she is and that she earned her spot here.”

Jones got out to a fast start and led going into the turn out of the sixth lane. Texas’ Courtney Okolo caught up to Jones and passed her coming out of the final turn for the win, while Jones held off North Carolina State’s Ariah Graham for the second qualifying position.

In addition to qualifying for the final, Jones also defeated some of the top sprinters in the nation, including Florida’s Robin Reynolds (ranked 40th nationally, finished fifth), Oral Roberts Madison Reynolds (65th, finished seventh) and Prairie View’s Terracia Moody (93rd, finished 10th).

She also defeated fellow Ohio Valley Conference runner Jessica Oranika of SIU Edwardsville, who placed 12th at 55.61.

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