June 24, 2006

Results

INDIANAPOLIS - Missouri post-collegian Fiona Asigbee completed a fine two-day run in the women's heptathlon at the 2006 USA Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis. Asigbee grabbed third in the national meet for the second-consecutive year, scoring a personal-best 6,030 points. Her score, the first of her career over 6,000, also gives her an `A' qualifying standard for next year's IAAF World Championships in Japan.

Asigbee (Walford, Iowa) was helped by personal bests in four of the event's seven disciplines. On day two, her long jump of 20 feet, 5 inches (6.22m) bested her old best by four inches. Next was the javelin, Asigbee launched the spear 132-11 (40.51m), adding nearly nine feet to her old best in the event and propelling her to the possible 6,000 score. The 800-meter was still remaining, as always, it's a monster.

"It had been a long two days both mentally and physically," said Asigbee. "I was about to pass out, but luckily I was able to finish and with a decent time."

Her time of 2:20.65 was four seconds off her personal best, but good enough to break the 6,000-point mark and hold her place at third.

"It feel's real good (to get 6,000)," said Asigbee. "I'm not really a numbers person, but I really I was just hoping to get through the competition without my body falling apart. I was surprised to get through the competition as healthy as I did."

Last year, Asigbee placed third as well, but scored 5,994 points, leaving some wonder at getting to the 6-k mark.

"It was a long time coming," Asigbee continued. "I dedicated my life to my training, and the hard work made it all worth it."

Asigbee's score was also enough for her to crack the World's top 20 this year in scoring, and if she finishes in the top three next year at the U.S. Championships, she will join Team USA at the IAAF World Championships in Japan.

Sunday: Strickland Makes Final, Takes Eighth in Women's Shot Put
Post-collegian Janae Strickland placed eighth in the women's shot put on Sunday, recording her career-best national finish in the event. Strickland came out of the lower-seeded flight, winning the group with her day's best of 54-5 1/4 (16.59m) to make the final.

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