Trackwomen fall short of Pan-Am Games

By KATE CARDONI
Collegian Staff Writer

Two athletes from the Penn State women's track team tried to increase the squad's success at the national level when they competed individually last weekend at the USA Track and Field Senior National Championships.

All-American Shakeema Walker and junior thrower Carrie Karabinos represented Penn State at the Senior Nationals, which took place June 24-27 in Eugene, Ore., at the University of Oregon. The meet featured the top collegiate and professional track and field athletes of all ages from around the country.

Walker jumped 43 1/2 in the triple jump and finished in fifth place. Her mark was off her personal best set at the NCAA Championships in June, but weather conditions made jumping difficult.

"She felt ready, I think it was a good experience," said Penn State women's track assistant coach Caryl Smith. "She wasn't able to jump as well as she could, though."

Smith said Walker's event took place on a windy day, which hampered her jump. Walker had to jump into a headwind and it kept her from doing as well as she had throughout this past season.

"(The wind) was worse than usual," said Walker. "I am used to jumping into the wind, but this time it was out of control."

Walker's fifth-place finish puts her in possible contention to participate in the 1999 Pan-American Games in Canada. However, Smith said Walker's chances are slim.

Normally, the top three finishers are invited to the Track and Field World Championships and the fourth and fifth-place finishers go to the Pan-Am Games.

However, the top three women did not meet the mark and may choose to attend the Pan-Am Games instead. That would knock Walker out of contention for the Games.

"Unless someone backs out, she can't go," said Penn State women's track assistant coach Dana Holston.

Still, Walker said she would not be disappointed if she does not attend the Games.

"I would love to be there," she said, "But there are other jumpers who have earned the spot."

NCAA-champion Stacey Bowers of Baylor won the Senior Nationals title in the triple jump with a leap of 44-9 3/4.

Walker said she plans to begin training at Alabama for the 2000 Olympic Trials, which take place next July. Smith said Walker has a good chance of making the team.

Along with Walker, Karabinos competed in the Senior Nationals for the Lady Lions. She finished tenth in the javelin with a throw of 153-1, but she said her performance was not her best.

"I wanted to throw close," said Karabinos. "But my technique was a little rough."

Holston, who coaches most of the Lady Lion throwers, said Karabinos did not finish as well as she could have because some of her throws went too high.

Still, Holston said the experience Karabinos gained was invaluable.

"It was great experience for next season because she's competed with the best in the nation," said Holston.

"She's a hard worker."

Karabinos said she did not feel pressure to win and her coaches helped her feel confident going into her event.

"They told me 'you made it this far, be happy you made it here'," she said.

While Walker graduated in May, Karabinos has another year at Penn State to train and improve. She plans to compete again in the 2000 Senior Nationals and hopes she can improve upon this year's performance.