June 25, 2005

CARSON, Calif. - Christine Spence missed qualifying for the finals of the 400 meter hurdles by less than a second at the 2005 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held in Carson, Calif., at the Home Depot Center.

Spence ran a 57.55 in the semifinals and finished 11th, coming up just short of the top nine and a spot in Saturday's finals. Melinda Sallins grabbed the last spot with a time of 56.58 while Lashinda Demus ran the fastest time with a 54.19. Spence had advanced to the semifinals by running a 58.05 in the opening round of the event on Thursday.

Spence earned two All-America honors at year's NCAA Outdoor Championships to become just the second UNLV track and field athlete to earn the honor at least four times in single events. Spence is a two-time All-American in the 400 meter hurdles and an All-American in the high jump and heptathlon. Michele Davis was a five-time All-American for the Rebels, earning the award three times in the 400 meters and twice in the 200 meters.