USM'S RILEY NAMED ALL-AMERICAN AT NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

HATTIESBURG, Miss.---Southern Miss hurdler Wenston Riley earned his second-straight NCAA All-American honor after finishing fifth in the 110-meter high hurdles at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., Saturday.

Riley did not run the race he expected, but finished fifth in the finals with a time of 14.03.

"I am not happy with my race, by no means am I satisfied," Riley said. "I am happy I was able to keep my balance and finish the race, which was important. This definitely was an ugly race."

Several hurdles had trouble negotiating the first hurdle and began to lose their balance causing several hurdlers to slow down.

"In a race like this one, the hurdlers tend to press a bit, wanting to get out fast, " Head Coach Wayne Williams said. "It wasn't the prettiest race I've seen, but I am proud that Wenston was able to keep his balance and finish the race."

Riley will continue to compete this season and return to Eugene for USA Championships in two weeks.