University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
NCAA Championships
Heather Wilson Earns First-Team All-America Honors
3/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
March 12, 2011
UConn junior Heather Wilson added to UConn's All-American tally at the NCAA Championships by placing fourth in the 800m tonight in College Station, Texas. Five UConn student-athletes earned All-America status this weekend.
UConn placed 23rd overall with 10 points. Oregon won the NCAA Championship with 67 points. On the weekend, UConn earned a total of seven All-American titles.
 | "Seven All-American titles says it all - with Heather and Victoria leading the way with First-Team honors and fourth-place finishes. This was a fitting conclusion to our incredible year. A final national ranking of 22nd means so much for this program." - Head Coach Bill Morgan |
Wilson took part in the thrilling 800m on Saturday night, running 2:05.18 to place fourth. BYU's Lacey Bleazard won the NCAA Title, crossing the line at 2:04.09.
Wilson started slow, sitting a few strides behind the leaders in the early laps. Following the first 250m, she made her move towards the front with an excellent kick to advance from eighth into fourth in the final 75m.
For placing fourth, Wilson earned First-Team All-America honors.
She joins junior thrower Victoria Flowers as a First-Team All-American for Connecticut.
"Heather Wilson was incredible today! I was thrilled for her and for our program. Fourth in the country at her first national championships is really remarkable. I'm just so proud of her and our team," said Distance Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough.
Flowers competed in her second event of the weekend at the 2011 Indoor Track and Field Championships and placed 18th in the shot put. Flowers threw 16.11m (52' 10.25"). Arizona sophomore Julie Labonte won the NCAA Championship with a top mark of 17.53m (57' 6.25"). The junior thrower already earned First-Team All-America honors on the weekend after placing fourth in the weight throw on Friday night.
Wilson earned Second-Team All-America honors on Friday night as part of UConn's 4,000m distance medley relay squad which placed 12th. The DMR was comprised of senior Leah Andrianos (1,200m), freshman Celina Emerson (400m), sophomore Brigitte Mania (800m) and Wilson (1,600m).
Senior Trisha-Ann Hawthorne earned UConn's seventh All-America title as she garnered Second Team All-America honors for placing 16th in the prelims of the 60m.
UConn begins the outdoor season on March 25 at the Yellow Jacket Invitational in Atlanta, Ga.
Players Mentioned
