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Athlete update

PHU graduate McNary still running strong

By NANCY MORGAN
Published July 16, 2006

When Lauren McNary first started running cross country as a junior at Palm Harbor University, it was to get in shape for basketball, a sport McNary played all four years for the Hurricanes.

McNary kept running and, two years ago, ended up with a scholarship to Howard.

"I always liked to run, but seemed too busy my first two years of high school," said McNary, 20. "As I kept running, I was dropping time. When I finished fourth in the state in the 400 as a junior, I decided to pursue track in college."

McNary, whose mother attended law school at Howard, visited the school and liked what she saw. A good education and opportunity to run were a perfect fit for McNary.

"When Lauren first got here, it was a learning experience for her and she worked hard," said six-year Howard coach Michael Merritt. "She's pretty focused now. A breakthrough for her, I believe, was when she won the conference outdoor championship and qualified for the U.S. Junior National Team."

In the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference outdoor championships, sophomore McNary ran a career-best 52.91 in the 400 meters. Earlier in the indoor conference championships, McNary sped to a second-place finish in 54.36.

The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association recognized McNary's achievements, naming her to the NCAA Division I All-East Regional team. She finished ranked fifth in the East Region.

"Running takes a lot of work, it's an intense sport and wears down your body," McNary said. "But, you especially need heart, desire and confidence. I may have a natural gift for running, but I still train very hard."

McNary is in summer school now, working on her international business major. She has set goals for her junior year that include winning the MEAC indoor and outdoor championships and qualifying for national championships in both.

"I just want to keep on improving," McNary said. "I qualified for the USA Nationals this year, but lost in the first round. I definitely want to improve on that."

MORE TRACK: Georgia Tech three-time All-American Ashlee Kidd St. Petersburg ran the leadoff leg of the winning U.S. 4x400-meter relay team in the NACAC Under-23 Track and Field Championships in Santo Domingo. The team posted a meet record time of 3:29.05.

Kidd was one of seven Yellow Jackets selected to the inaugural all-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Track and Field teams.

TENNIS: 2001 Georgia graduate Christa Grey (Seminole) completed her second season as assistant coach at her alma mater. Before coaching the Bulldogs, the two-time Academic all-SEC player and member of the 2000 NCAA championship squad was an assistant at N.C. State.

DIVING: In the classroom, Austin Hampton (Admiral Farragut) was one of two freshmen divers at N.C. State named to the Academic all-ACC team. On the boards, Hampton placed seventh on the 3-meter, 12th on platform and 33rd on the 1-meter at the NCAA Zone Diving Championships, missing nationals by 1.6 points.

BASEBALL: South Florida's Joey Angelberger (Dunedin) is second in hitting average (.263) on 20 hits for the Keene Swamp Bats in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. At South Florida, Angelberger led the Bulls in RBIs with 36, was third in hits with 54 and fifth in average with .267.

SOFTBALL: Georgia Southern graduate Carolyn Chin (Dixie Hollins) was named to the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars List. Criteria for selection includes participation in a college sport, at least a 3.2 GPA and involvement in community or campus events. Chin, a chemistry major with a 3.95 cumulative GPA, started 91 of 112 career games.

SOCCER: Kristin Weldon (Keswick Christian) played in 13 games at the midfielder position for Columbus State. Weldon was among the student-athletes named to the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll.

GYMNASTICS: 2006 Missouri graduate Jodie Heinicka (Seminole) was among 24 Big 12 Conference student-athletes awarded a postgraduate scholarship. Last month, Heinicka was selected Big 12 Conference Female Sportsperson of the Year.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified July 14, 2006, 11:11:26]