Washington State's Jeshua Anderson repeats as NCAA 400 hurdles champion

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Washington State sophomore Jeshua Anderson successfully defended his title in the men's 400-meter hurdles Friday at the 2009 NCAA track and field championships at John McDonnell Field on the University of Arkansas campus.

Anderson wobbled slightly at the ninth hurdle but still powered across the finish line in a school-record 48.47 seconds.

"I need to work on my alternate leg more, but my coaches said to come off of hurdle eight and try to run through it," Anderson said. "Hopefully, it looked better, but that one was nasty. My legs are tired, but all of this has been a blessing."

Elsewhere, Washington got a second-place finish from sophomore Scott Roth in the men's pole vault (18 feet, 2 ½ inches) and All-America performances from redshirt freshman Mel Lawrence (women's steeplechase, third, school- and personal-record 9:40.98); Kyle Nielsen (men's javelin, sixth, 231-6); and Brooke Pighin (women's javelin, seventh, 165-9).

In other Cougars results, sophomore Marissa Tschida finished sixth in the women's javelin final (166-5), and junior Trent Arrivey high jumped 7-¼ for ninth place.

Notes

• Emerald Downs announced a purse increase for most claiming races, to take effect beginning with the fourth condition book on Thursday.

The approximate 4 percent increase will be offered on races ranging from the $3,500 bottom-claiming level through $25,000 claiming. For example, open $3,500 claimers will now be running for a $6,250 purse, compared to the $6,000 offered in the first three books. And an open $25,000 claiming race will now be worth $15,700, compared to $15,100.

"Although we are down in wagering handle, our races are filling different than expected," track president Ron Crockett said.

Thru 28 days, Emerald Downs has shown a slight increase in on-track attendance.

• Julius Lloyd, a former Inglemoor High standout, has signed a letter of intent to play for the Montana State football team. Lloyd, a 6-1, 175-pound receiver, has been playing at West Hills Community College in Coalinga, Calif.

Compiled from sports-information and wire reports and other sources.