March 8, 2008

AMES, Iowa - Illinois State track and field senior Alex Straughn cleared a height of six feet, six inches and placed third, but it was not enough to earn a provisional mark at the Iowa State NCAA Last Chance Qualifier in Ames, Iowa, inside the Lied Recreation Facility Saturday.

While the St. Philips, Barbados native will not be competing at the NCAA Indoor Championships Illinois State assistant track and field coach Tim Thompson is confident that his efforts this season will propel him into outdoor competition.

"Alex really gave a great effort this weekend," said Thompson. "He was feeling good and was really trying to push himself in his approach. However, there is a fine line between having too much speed and not enough speed in your approach and I think he was trying to be aggressive and was taking off too fast.

"He was aggressive and was going for a big jump. He will leave the indoor season wanting more and I think he is in a good position to have a great outdoor season."

The Illinois State track and field team will resume action March 29 at the Saluki Spring Classic in Carbondale, Ill.