Hamilton Qualifies for NCAA Championships

BUFFALO, NY - UB senior track athlete Shelly Hamilton (Lockport, NY/Lockport) received official word this morning that she has qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the second straight year.

The championships will be held at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, from June 2-5. Hamilton along with head coach Dick Barry will be leaving on Tuesday, June 1, for the competition.

Hamilton will take part in the women's high jump competition, which begins competing on Thursday, June 3. She provisionally qualified for this year's championships with a jump of 5'11.25" during the UB Open back on May 1. This jump set a new school record, surpassing her own mark set last year.

"I think Shelly has had a very good outdoor season so far," said UB head coach Dick Barry. "She is coming off an injury-plagued indoor season and an ankle injury to begin the outdoor season. I think she is finally back at 100% for the NCAA's."

Despite injuries bothering her during training and throughout the indoor season, Barry thinks Hamilton is ready for the NCAA Championships. "I believe that she is back to the point that she wants to be, and I think that she could come through with some impressive marks in Boise," said Barry.

Last season, Hamilton became the first UB female athlete to earn All-American status at the Division I level. She placed 12th in the high jump competition with a leap of 5'10.75" at the 1998 NCAA Championships which were held at UB Stadium.