June 9, 2011

Results

DES MOINES, Iowa - Louisiana Tech long jumper Chelsea Hayes fell a quarter of an inch shy of advancing to the finals as the New Orleans native placed 10th in the long jump at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines Wednesday evening.

Hayes mark of 20-10.5 (6.36m) ranks third in school history and the third-best mark in her career, half an inch better than her 2011 WAC Championship mark of 20-10. Hayes now owns the five best long jump marks in Louisiana Tech history. She finished 2.5 inches better than Nebraska's Mara Griva and only a quarter-inch short of Whitney Carlson of North Dakota State for ninth place with the top nine finishers advancing to the finals.

Hayes was projected to finish fourth at the NCAA Championships by Track & Field News. A senior, Hayes has one season of indoor competition left and is appealing to the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility in outdoor track and field.

Ruston native Larry Jones completed his Louisiana Tech career with a 23rd place finish in the discus. A three-time WAC Champion in the event, Jones threw 168-3 (51.29m) to beat out James Cole of Air Force.

In the 400m, senior Monique Wright finished 24th overall with a time of 54.56.

Action continues at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday with Ruston native and true freshman Trey Hadnot running in the 200m semifinals at 5:45 p.m. CT.

For complete coverage of Tech Track and Field, please visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.