Track & field's Marie-Jeanne Ourega went from a six-time All-American in her career to a nine-time All-American with success throughout the NCAA Division II National Championships.
The first day of action on
Mar. 11 had Ourega competing in the long jump which she dominated throughout the regular season at second in the country. Progressively getting better throughout her first four attempts, she ended the opening round with a 20-2.5 (6.16m) to put her third as the top nine moved on to the last round. She then reached a distance of 20-3.75 (6.19m) on her fourth try, passing the nation's leader coming into Indoor Nationals, UC-Colorado Springs' Hannah Meek, but the 20-4.25 (6.20m) from Minnesota State's Makayla Jackson in the first round held up for the national title as the Communications & Media Technologies major finished second overall.
Championship Saturday on
Mar. 12 brought Ourega back to the runway for the triple jump which she began with the best mark of the first round, 41-2.25 (12.55m), to start a stretch of three personal records over four attempts. After making the final at third overall, she proceeded to deliver yet another career-best on her fourth try, reaching 41-8 (12.70m) for what would be her farthest mark of the day and putting her past Thomas for second in ART U history. It earned her third back of U-Mary's D'Andra Morris (42-8/13.00m) and Taylor Nelloms (42-6.75/12.97m) of West Texas A&M.
After her work in the long jump, Ourega also qualified to the final of the 60m hurdles with a personal record 8.52 in the event prelims. She would wrap up her weekend eighth in the final, hoisting the ninth All-American trophy of her career.
