EUGENE, Ore. (5/26/11) - Arkansas State sprinter Sharika Nelvis ran an 11.79 in the 100-meter dash prelims Thursday at the NCAA Track & Field West Regional, finishing third in her heat to qualify for tomorrow's quarterfinals.

The top three times posted in each of the three quarterfinals and the next best three times will advance to the NCAA Championships.  Nelvis, also scheduled to compete in the 100-meter hurdles tomorrow, ran a career-best 11.54 in the 100 meters at the Memphis Invitational earlier this year.  Her time of 11.54 is the second fastest in school history behind only Carla Christian's time of 11.49 set in 2001.

"Sharika did exactly what she needed to do, finishing in the top three in her heat to move through," said ASU head coach Lon Badeaux.  "She has already improved her regional position coming in, and now she has the chance to qualify through to Des Moines tomorrow."

ASU sophomore Charmisha Morrow was also scheduled to compete in the 400-meter dash prelims today, but had to pull out of the event due to an injury suffered during warm-ups.  Also representing the ASU women's team at the meet are senior Erica Naeger, junior Stephanie Foreman and sophomore Julia Agawu, while junior Solomon Williams is representing the men's squad.