Hayes to Compete in USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships
By: Bianca Warren
Livingstone College Sports Information
Hayes, the NCAA Division II national champion in the women’s 400 meters and a six-time All-American, will compete in The USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which is being televised on ESPN2.
She will compete in a preliminary 400 meters heat at 6:20 p.m. , marking the first time the sophomore from Hope Mills, N.C., has competed on national television. She hopes her performance will better position her to become a member of the United States’ 2016 Olympic Team.
“I’m really looking forward to competing with some of the fastest 400 meter runners in the US,” said Hayes, a soft-spoken student-athlete who has helped to put Livingstone College Track and Field on the map. “I understand the challenge will be great for me this week, but I’m confident I’ll be able to perform at a level that will help me achieve my personal goals while bringing honor to my college.”
As Hayes takes her mark on June 20, she will line up beside notable competitors including Sanya Richards-Ross, a 2012 Olympic Champion and six-time USA National Champion, Dee Dee Trotter, the 2007 USA National Champion and multiple Olympian at the 400 meters, Francena McCrory, an American Indoor 400 meter record holder and Ashley Spencer, the 2012 and 2013 NCAA Division I 400 meter champion.
Although Hayes might be a little daunted by the competitors she will face this week, she has already proven she’s an elite runner and deserves to be on a nationally televised stage.
During the 2013 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held at Colorado State-Pueblo, Hayes ran a personal best of 51.54 seconds, earning her a gold medal and the third fastest time across all NCAA divisions this year.
“Quanera and I are excited about the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and are hopeful everything she has accomplished so far propels her to success this week,” said Head Coach Justin Davis.
The USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will serve as the selection event for the coveted spots to represent Team USA at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow August 10-18. Hosted by Greater Des Moines and Drake University, the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will air live beginning on June 21 from 8-10 p.m. on ESPN2. On June 22 it will air from 4-5 p.m. on Universal Sports and from 5-7 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. On June 23, the final day of competition, the meet will be televised from 2-3 p.m. on Universal Sports, 3-4 p.m. on NBC Sports Network and 4-6 p.m. on NBC.
All broadcast times are Eastern Standard Time.
Below are the times Hayes is scheduled to compete:
June 20 @ 6:20 p.m.
*June 21 @ 8:36 p.m.
*June 22 @ 6:08 p.m.
*If she qualifies.
