March 11, 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Ashley Owens nearly ran herself into UNLV history, missing medalist honors by three-thousandths of a second in the 60 meters at the 2006 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday.

Owens matched her UNLV record with a time of 7.20, but it was not fast enough as Marshevet Hooker of Texas won the event with a time of 7.197, as the pair crossed the finish line at virtually the same time, forcing the timers to go to down to thousandths of a second.

"I am really happy with the results, especially because last year I did not advance to the finals," said Owens, who transferred to UNLV after spending a year at LSU. "I am a little disappointed because I did not get a personal record, but I still feel pretty good with how I ran."

Owens was attempting to become just the third Rebel track and field athlete to win an individual championship at an NCAA meet, as Sheila Tarr-Smith won the heptathlon in 1984 and Trena Hull captured the title in the indoor 1,000 meters in 1987. Owens however did earn UNLV's 89th All-America honor in the program's history and its first in a sprinting competition since Michele Davis finished eighth in the indoor 200 meters in 2002.

Owens' second place ties the highest finisher ever for a Rebel track and field athlete in a sprinting event at the NCAA Championships. Lisa Thompson finished in second in the 100 meters in 1979 with a time of 11.93.

UNLV will open its outdoor season on March 18 at the San Diego State Invite, held in San Diego, Calif.