Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
NCAA Championships
Scales finishes third in NCAA 100 meters
6/11/2004 10:18:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country
Scales, who was the national champion in the 100-meter with a 10.24 in 2003, finished third in 2004 in a photofinish with championTyson Gay, Arkansas, and Michael Frater, Texas Christian. Gay and Frater each ran a 10.06, while Scales recorded a 10.07. It was Scales' fastest non-wind aided time ever.
"I would have liked to have won, but I gave it my best and came up just a little short," Scales said. "It was a good race and the competition was strong. I was right there, but in this sport just a split second can make all the difference."
Scales still achieved All-American status with his record performance as the top eight places in the national championship earn the honor. The speedy Scales not only earned All-American in the 100-meter, but he also helped the 400-meter relay team finish sixth and earn All-American honors.
Middle Tennessee went with a different quartet in the finals, running alternate J.J. Sturm on the anchor leg in place of sprinter Pedro Holiday. Xavier Darden, Scales, Wesley Dupar-Scott and Sturm turned in a 39.57 to take sixth and give the Blue Raiders five All-Americans from the 2004 NCAA National Championships.
"I was proud of our student-athletes as they all had good races for the most part and represented themselves and the university well," Middle Tennessee assistant coach Roger Kerr said. "The relay was strong and Mardy had one of his best races ever at Middle Tennessee. He was close to repeating, but he missed out by a fraction of a second."
Lady Raider Rosemary Okafor ran in the women's 400-meters preliminary Friday night and finished 14th with a 53.47. Teammate Kishara George had a mark of 62.65 in the 400-hurdles and did not qualify for the finals.
Middle Tennessee concluded its Outdoor Track & Field Championships with Friday night's action.
