Patricia Mamona Qualifies for Triple Jump Final at NCAA Track & Field Championships

June 9, 2007

SACRAMENTO, CA – Clemson freshman Patricia Mamona advanced to Saturday’s final in the triple jump with the ninth-best mark in the qualifying round Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She will compete in the final Saturday at 10:00 AM (PT). CBS will televise the meet from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on the East Coast.

Competing in her first-ever NCAA national meet, the native of Lisbon, Portugal once again showed her ability to come through in the clutch. Needing a solid jump to advance to the final, she came through with a leap of 43’0.25″ and was sixth-best in the second flight of jumpers. Mamona qualified for the national meet via a third-place finish at the East Region meet where she also posted her best mark in her final attempt.

Mamona is vying to become the first All-American in the triple jump since Gisele Oliveira in 2005. Three student-athletes have earned All-America honors in the triple jump from Clemson. Nanette Holloway (1992) and Sheri Smith (2002) also earned the distinction.

Liane Weber did not finish the heptathlon. She had a long jump of 16’3.75″ on her first attempt before fouling on her final two jumps. She did not start the javelin throw or 800m run and was one of three qualifiers that did not finish the competition.