University of the District of Columbia 4x400M Team Earns USTFCCCA All-Region Honors

NEW ORLEANS - The University of the District of Columbia women's 4X400M relay indoor track team has earned U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honors, it was announced, Wednesday, February 29th.

The 4X400M team, which ran a season-best time of 3:55.28 at the George Mason Last Chance Meet last Sunday, is ranked No. 3 in the East Region behind only UMass Lowell (No. 5 in the nation and heading to the NCAA Championships) and Holy Family University (No. 19 in the nation). UDC's time at the Last Chance Meet puts them at No. 26 in the nation. The four UDC athletes on this team are Callister Jones, Tatyana Commock, Latoya Allen and Kaneesha Hollis.

Also of note, Areial Clark (Kennessaw, GA - North Cobb HS) just missed out on an All-Region honor in the shot-put event as she was ranked No. 6 in the region. (The top-five are awarded All-Region honors in individual events)

With a team of just 12 athletes, head coach Alton McKenzie has guided the Firebirds to a No. 12 team ranking in the East Region.

"It feels good to see the young ladies recognized for their efforts during the 2011-2012 Indoor Season by being named All-Region honorees based on their performance in the 4x400M Relay," McKenzie said. "They are a testament to what can be achieved by persevering through adversity. I'm very proud of their efforts and look forward to the team on a whole using this as motivation to aim for further successes in the Outdoor Season. Thanks to our assistant coach Kevin Bembridge for his contribution to this effort as well. I look forward to us building on this success in the outdoor season."