WALTERS, MORRIS LEAD RAMS AT RALEIGH RELAYS

RALEIGH, N.C. – The saying goes "Rome wasn't built in a day."

That can be applied to the Virginia Commonwealth University women's track & field program as Head Jon Riley and his staff continue to rebuild the Rams into a consistent threat in the Colonial Athletic Association.

With the help of student-athletes such as the sophomore duo of Allison Morris (Langhorne, Pa.) and Nicole Walters (Orange, Va.), the Black & Gold are progressing into that threat and it was on display this past weekend at the Raleigh Relays, hosted by N.C. State University.

Morris continued her outstanding spring with another personal best, clearing 5' 7", and earned a spot in the ECAC Championships in early May.

"It was another great performance by Ally" Riley said. "We all knew she could jump and it would be a matter of time before everything came together. With the combination of a consistent approach run and a great job by our trainer Joelle Potts to keep those shins pain free, allowing her to improve on the little things that plagued her in the past. She has so much potential and the sky is the limit for her."

Walters was also impressive as the second-year standout posted yet another personal best in the 800-meter with a time of 2:14.24.

"Nicole continues to impress us and took nearly four seconds off her personal best," Riley said. "I really have to commend Coach Tussing for the job he has done with Nicole. She came to VCU having never run under 2:20. It's really a testament to her work ethic. She brings it at practice every day and its really paying off."

Two other athletes earned spots in the ECAC Championships with junior Quine Fortune' (New Orleans, La.) and freshman Chaneka Perry (Newport News, Va.) each booking a ticket to Princeton, N.J.

For Fortune, it's the third event she has qualified in already this spring with her time of 24.10 in the 200-meter. That adds to her list that already includes the 400-meter and the 4x100 meter relay.  

Perry not only qualified for the ECACs, but etched her name in the school record books with a leap of 40' in the triple jump. She breaks Yvette Simmons' five-year old school record of 39' 10 ½".