Missouri State University

June 6, 2012

Post-Race Interview With Althia Maximilien  |  NCAA 400-Meter Dash Semifinal Results  |  Complete June 6 NCAA Results (PDF)

DES MOINES -- Missouri State freshman Althia Maximilien (Bridgetown, Barbados) turned in a career performance, but it was not enough to advance in the NCAA Division I 400-meter Dash Semifinals here Wednesday.

Maximilien ran a 53.07 in the first heat to finish 19th in the field of 24 finalists, earning her All-America honorable mention honors. The top two finishers in each of the three semifinal heats, plus the next two fastest times times, advanced to Friday's national final. One of just three freshmen in the national field in the 400, Maximilien was in the fast heat, which produced seven of the top 15 times overall in the semifinals.

Her mark was just shy of breaking the 53-second mark, a feat achieved just twice previously by Missouri State 400-meter specialists. Maximilen's previous personal best was 53.36 set on April 21 at the John McDowell Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.

The lone remaining MSU representative at the NCAA national meet is triple jumper Kimsue Grant (Jr., Arlington, Va.) who begins competition on Saturday morning (10 a.m.) at Drake Stadium.