JONESBORO, Ark. (6/13/2011) - Following her 10th place finish in the pole vault last weekend at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, A-State junior Stephanie Foreman was named second-team All-America Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Foreman cleared 13-5.25 to finish 10th at the Championships to become Arkansas State's first Track & Field All-American since James Jenkins posted a fourth-place finish in the 2007 triple jump. Foreman is the Red Wolves' first female All-American since 2001, when Edith Montgomery finished seventh in the high jump.
"Obviously, it is a super honor for Stephanie to be named All-American," said ASU head coach Lon Badeaux. "It is also a big step for our program. She is the first All-American we have had since this staff has been in place, so it's definitely a step in the right direction."
"Stephanie has had such an unbelievable year, and this is a perfect ending for her," added Badeaux. "We wish she could have finished a little higher, but to be an All-American, what more can you ask for?"
Foreman qualified for the NCAA Championships when she vaulted 13-5.25 to finish among the top nine competitors. She set a new outdoor conference record April 23 when she cleared 13-6.25 at the Mississippi Invitational. The record broke her previous mark of 13-5.75 set last May. Foreman is the three-time Sun Belt Conference defending champion in both the outdoor and indoor pole vault.
"I'm really relieved and very excited," said Foreman. "I fought for two years to try to get into nationals and was cut out by a couple of people every time. I love the fact that I finally made it in and did really good when I made it in. I was expected to finish around 17th, and ended up getting 10th, so I feel like I really pulled it off this year."
