JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – UMBC
freshman Mercedes
Jackson (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown) and
sophomore Brandan McGee (Hiram, Ohio/Crestwood) competed in
the 200m dash and the 3000m steeplechase, respectively, Friday
evening at the NCAA East Preliminaries at Hodges Stadium on the
campus of the University of North Florida.
Jackson, who also competed in the 100m dash on Thursday,
finished in 31st in the 200m on Friday with a time of 24.17 to
complete her impressive freshman year. The America East
Indoor and Outdoor Most Outstanding Rookie, Jackson broke four UMBC
school records in her first year in Baltimore while winning two
conference titles.
Immediately after the 200m dash, McGee, the America East
steeplechase champion, competed in the event, placing 46th in a
time of 9:34.96. At the championship meet earlier this
month, McGee broke the UMBC school record during his winning run,
finishing the course in 9:01.73.
Jackson and McGee, along with junior Amanda
Deller (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen) who competed in the shot
put on Thursday, made UMBC history this weekend by becoming the
first Retriever trio to compete at the regional meet in the same
year. In addition, Jackson became the first ever
Retriever female track athlete to compete in two separate events on
the regional level.
