Newman named all-region in two different events

DES MOINES, IOWA, June 12, 2008 – Calesio Newman saw his 2008 outdoor season come to an end on Thursday at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships at Drake University. Newman failed to qualify for the 200 meter semifinals with a time of 21.43 in the third heat. On Wednesday, Newman ran a time of 10.80 in the 100 meters and did not qualify for the semifinals.

Newman completes what has been one that has shown him to be one of the fastest runners in the East region and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Newman won the 100 meters at the MEAC Outdoor Championships and finished second in the 200 meters. His best time this season was 10.18 ran in the Friendship and Freedom Games.

“I never concentrate on the name on the uniform,’’ said Newman. “No matter what uniform they are wearing, they’re still a competitor just like me. I just went in focused on what I needed to do and I plan to get back here again.”

Newman leads a list of three North Carolina A&T men’s track and field athletes who have been named to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association All-East Regional Team.

To be considered All-Region the student-athlete must place in the top eight of his/her respective regional event. Newman earned all-region in the 100 and 200 meters. Newman finished fifth in the NCAA East Regional at Florida State last week to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Nationals at Drake University June 11-14. He finished eighth in the 100 meters in the East Region to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Nationals.

Joining Newman as an all-regional performer was Tarrish Alexander. Alexander’s sixth place finish comes after a season of improvements. His emergence at the MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships earlier this month was one of the reasons the Aggies were able to finish second. He had a season-best 24-foot, 9 ¾ inches jump at the MEAC Championships to qualify for regionals. Alexander had a best jump of 24-feet, 3-inches on Friday to score three points.

Junior Lonnie Phifer was also an all-regional performer. Phifer, a three-time regional qualifier, scored one point in the shot put for the Aggies as he tossed his best throw 57-feet, 10 ¾ inches. Phifer had the best throw in the conference this season with a 57-foot, 11-inch throw at Coastal Carolina. It was the throw that helped him qualify for regionals.