June 12, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - Gary Lee is the man of the hour.

The freshman leapt 25-7.50 (7.81m) in the long jump Thursday, launching himself into fifth place in the NCAA finals of the event. Lee entered the meet ranked No. 17 nationally and defied the odds Wednesday by qualifying for the 12-man final.

Lee set a new personal-best on his second jump of the day, tying Idaho's Elvie Williams for fourth place. The tie was later broken based on the two WAC athlete's second-best jump of the day, with Williams outdistancing Lee.

By finishing among the top eight in the event, Lee earned All-American status, the only Bulldog to earn that honor this season. Lee surpassed the U.S. Olympic Trial provisional qualifying mark with his jump Thursday. His jump also resets the Fresno State Freshman Record which he broke earlier this season.

Rosario Sanchez took the field Thursday also, representing the women at the NCAA Championships. Sanchez tossed the shot put 51-5.50 (15.68m) to finish in 16th place. The throw is Sanchez's second-best of the season and second among freshmen at the meet.

On Wednesday, Sharon Ayala, the Bulldog's other competitor placed 13th in the hammer throw, just one place shy of the 12-person final.

Thursday's events complete the Fresno State outdoor track and field season.

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