BOSTON, MA. (January 25, 2008) – Lincoln University of Pennsylvania women's track and field coach Cyrus D. Jones was delighted at the efforts of his squad following the Boston University Invitational Friday afternoon. (COMPLETE MEET RESULTS)

Senior Shanda Jackson (East Orange, NJ/East Orange Campus) and sophomore Alisha McKeithan (Chester, PA/Strath Haven) were top 10 finishers in their respective events. Then later in the day, Jackson and McKeithan teamed with junior Donneisha Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Harold S. Vincent) and sophomore Antonia Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) to finish sixth in the 4 x 400-meter relay.

Jackson placed 10^th in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.31 seconds. McKeithan turned in her best career effort in the 400, finishing the race in 59.30 seconds, which was good for 10^th place. Jones was 14^th after turning in her fastest career time in the 400-meter dash at 59.83 seconds. The 4 x 400-meter relay team turned in a strong 3:55.29 to finish behind Seton Hall A, Long Island, Yale, Rutgers and Seton Hall B.

“Those girls showed off today,” Jones said. “They blew the rooftop off the building with their performance and I am so excited about the rest of the season. I believe if they keep improving, they could reach a 3:40 or something like that and be ranked among the top (4 x 400) relay teams in the country.”

Every member of the relay team ran its leg in under 60 seconds, which had the Hall of Fame coach excited. Jackson ran a strong leadoff leg of 57.1 seconds to put Lincoln in front. One of the major differences this season for the Lady Lions track team has been the improvement of Jones and McKeithan, a pair of talented runners.

“They have improved 100 percent,” Jones said. “They haven't reached their plateau yet. The difference in Alisha this year is she seems to be more focused and she seems to enjoy running more. Antonia already had the ability and now she is learning how to run. Overall, this was a strong meet for my ladies and now I am looking forward to build off of this effort.”

The Lincoln women will be back in action Saturday Feb. 2 when it competes in the University of Delaware's Thompson Invitational. The meet will begin around 11:00 a.m. at the UD Fieldhouse.

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