Date Posted: 6/12/2008

DES MOINES, Iowa - Natasha Harvey of the JU women's outdoor track & field team earned All-American honors after a second-place finish in the long jump on Thursday at the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

Harvey's leap of 21-10 (6.65m) broke the school record of 21-09 (6.63m) that she had set just a day before in Wednesday's preliminary rounds.

"Natasha put it all together on her first jump today," said JU head coach Ron Grigg. "And it held up throughout the competition against some great jumpers. Finishing second to one of the best long jumpers in the world is quite an accomplishment. Now we will get back to training and see how we do in two weeks."

Harvey delivered her record-breaking leap in her first attempt of the day.

Harvey trailed only Brittney Reese of Ole Miss, whose jump of 22-09 (6.93m) tied her previous best of the season, which is also the world's longest jump this year. Blessing Okagbare of Texas-El Paso finished third with a jump of 21-07 1/2 (6.59m), a full two and a half inches behind Harvey.

This was the first outdoor All-American honor for Harvey, who claimed the distinction twice indoors after a third-place finish in 2008 and a fourth-place finish in 2007.

The next test for Harvey will be the Olympic Trials which begin on June 30th in Eugene, Ore.

Related Links:
 •  Thursday's Field Results