Melendez Wins Race Walk Event
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Northwest University's Amberly Melendez, a freshman from Edinburg, Tex., won the women's 3000m race walk event at the Jim Green Invite in the King Fieldhouse on he campus of Illinois College today. Jacksonville is located about 90 miles north of St. Louis.
Melendez defeated Shana Foster of Missouri Baptist by over 6 minutes as she finished the event in 14:47.10 and a NAIA "A" qualifying time. Her time will be the No. 5 time in the NAIA this season among the top ten times.
"It was Amberly's first race of the season, so it's a great start," said NU coach, Mark Mandi. This is my first time working with a race walker, but I can definitely say, she was in a class by herself today. I'm really proud of her effort and attitude."