Lady Lion Track Provisionally Qualifies Five for NCAA's;
Freshman Deshaya Williams Sets New School Record In The Discus

April 10, 1999; Knoxville, Tenn. -- The Lady Lion Women's Track and Field coaches sent some of their best athletes to the Sea Ray Relays and Heptathlon this week in Tennessee and it proved to be a worthwhile trip for the squad.

Penn State's highest finisher was freshman Deshaya Williams (Sarasota, NY) who set a new school record and earned a provisional qualification with her first place 173-9 throw in the discus. The new school record surpasses a 167-7 toss by Elaine Sobansky in 1984. Williams also earned a provisional qualifier in the shot put with her second place throw of 49-7 1/4.

Four other Lady Lions earned NCAA provisionally qualifying marks including senior Shakeema Walker (Philadelphia, Pa.) who finished third at the Indoor Nationals in the long jump earlier in the year. Walker leapt a qualifying 20-7 second place jump in the long jump and a 43-1 1/2 third place jump in the triple jump at the Sea Ray Relays this week.

Junior Carrie Karabino (Ashville, Pa.) was another Lions' qualifier with a toss of 159-2 in the javelin earning her a second place finish.

The Lady Lion squad sent one athlete to compete in the heptathlon. Junior Felicia Cooksey (Alexandria, Va.) finished eighth with 4,733 points, earning her highest finish in the shot put portion of the competion with a second place 40-5 1/2 throw. In the remaining events she finished fifth in the high jump, eighth in the 100 meter dash, eighth in the 200 meter dash, sixth in the long jump, 10th in the 800 meter run and 13th in the javelin.

Penn State hosts the Lady Lion Relays Friday, April 14 - Saturday, April 15. Action begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday.