McClurkin Takes Fifth at USA Championships

DES MOINES -- Mindy McClurkin competed for the final time for BYU at the 2010 USA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, placing fifth in the long jump, highest among collegiate competitors.

McClurkin finished with a best jump of 6.59m (21-07.50), topping her performance at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships of 6.53m.

The four competitors that bettered McClurkin’s long jump mark were all professional track and field athletes. Brittney Reese, a Nike team member, won the event with a jump of 7.08m (23-02.75).

Two former BYU track and field athletes were in action at the USA Championships, including two-time National Steeplechase Champion Josh McAdams.

McAdams entered the competition as the returning USA Champion in the 3000m Steeplechase, but was unable to defend his title, placing fourth in 8:34.43, nearly five seconds off his 2009 pace (8:29.91).

Jennifer Grossarth, a 2007 BYU graduate, competed in the 400m hurdles. Grossarth finished fourth overall in a time of 56.17, bettering her 2009 USA Championship performance of eighth place in 57.61.

BYU women’s track and field volunteer assistant coach Jillian Camarena-Williams was also in action at the meet, competing in the shot put. Camarena-Williams won the event with a throw of 19.13m (62-09.25) to become the USA Outdoor shot put Champion, her second National Championship of the year. Camarena-Williams also won the USA Indoor Championships shot put title.