Coward will join fellow sophomore Sheila Paul (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.) and freshman Sonnisha Williams (Jacksonville, Fla.) at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., from June 9-13. Paul will compete in the 100-meter dash while Williams will be in the field in the long jump. All three Knights will be competing at the outdoor nationals for the first time.
Needing to finish in the top three of her heat Saturday to ensure her spot in Eugene, Coward edged Villanova’s Shericka Ward by one-hundredth of a second at the finish line for third place. The sophomore’s time of 13.11 ranked ninth among the 24 finalists.
“Jackie Coward had a strong performance as she competed up to her ability,” said head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert. “After a tough day yesterday, she pulled through today with a much better effort. We will get ready for nationals with Sonnisha, Sheila and Jackie.