June 24, 2002
The collegiate track and field season is over, but All-American long jumper Tameisha King stepped on the runway for one more competition last weekend at the 2002 USA Track and Field Championships in Palo Alto, Calif. The Mableton, Ga., native made the most of the opportunity, jumping 19-5 1/2 to finish 10th in the field that featured many of the top long jump specialists in the nation. King had finished seventh at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Baton Rouge, La., on May 30, posting a 20-8 1/2 effort. It was the second All-America long jump effort of her career (she finished ninth in 2000).
King, who will return to compete for the Irish in her senior season next year, is no stranger to top competition. After earning All-America honors in her rookie season she grabbed a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team after finishing second at the national meet in Denton, Texas. She moved on to finish 10th at the 2000 World Junior Championship in Santiago, Chile.
The 10th place effort at the USATF Championships is a fitting end to an outstanding 2002 track and field season for King. She helped the women’s 4×100 relay team qualify for the NCAA outdoor meet and win the BIG EAST Championship 4×100 title in meet-record setting time. King was also the top Irish runner in the 60-meter hurdles during the indoor season and 100-meter hurdles for the outdoor schedule.