Smith has qualified for the triple jump in the East Regional

GREENSBORO, April 11, 2008 – North Carolina A&T track and field jumper Kimona Smith continued to prove she is not under any sophomore jinx as she finished first in the triple and second in the long jump at the Murray Neely Invitational to earn MEAC Female Athlete of the Week.

It was Smith second weekly MEAC honor in 2008. She was named female track athlete of the week during the indoor season as well. Smith’s jump of 41-feet, 7 ¾ inches at Neely Invitational hosted by N.C. A&T helped her to a No. 20 ranking in the country and a No. 1 ranking in the MEAC. She is ranked sixth in the East Region with the jump and she will represent the Aggies in the East Regional May 30-31.

“Kimona never stops trying to get better,’’ said director of track and field programs Roy Thompson. “She is always studying the sport trying to find different ways to maker herself better. That’s why she will improve every year that she is here.”

Smith is still looking to qualify in the long jump. Her highest mark of the season is 5.88 meters (19-feet, 3 ½ inches), which 12 meters shy of the qualifying mark.