May 30, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - McNeese State athletes came up a little short in their qualifying attempt for the NCAA nationals during the mid-east regionals in Fayetteville, AR on Friday.

Four McNeese athletes attempted to qualify for the finals on Friday but none were able to make it. Hammer thrower Freddie Hannie will get his chance Saturday morning.

Both Carlese Franklin and Ben Chretien failed in their qualifying attempts in the javelin as did John Jamail in the shot put and Christi McRae in the women's 400 meters.

Franklin posted the best finish of the group, placing 10th in the javelin with a throw of 206-4. Jeffrey Kent of Louisiana-Monroe won the event at 233-5 while Preston Chatham of LSU was second at 224-6, LSU's Chad Radgowski was third at 220-4, Louisiana Tech's Larry Jones was fourth at 219-4 and Luke Laird of Arkansas was fifth at 216-4. Chretien finished 28th at 169-6.

The top five in each event qualify for the national meet. Franklin had gone in with a season best of 218-6.

Jamail put the shot 53-1 but that only gave him 22nd place while McRae posted a 54.05 clocking in the 400 meters to finish 10th. Cory Martin of Auburn won the shot at 65-9 1/2 while LSU's Ricky Jean-Francois was fourth at 58-4.

Taking the women's 400 meter dash was Jeanna Griffin of Ohio State with a time of 52.50.