June 23, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton track and field student-athletes Mallory Barnes and Johnna Zaccari competed among the nation's best at the USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships this past weekend. Barnes finished eighth in the hammer throw tossing 162-04, while Zaccari placed 19th with a throw of 43-00.25 in the shotput.

Barnes finished ahead of eight athletes at the meet. Her throw of 162-04 was good enough for a school record at UD. The Flyer rookie has been a major contributor to UD's team all season. She set a school record in the weight throw (56-10) at the DePauw Invite. She picked up a third place finish in the event at the Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship and holds two of the best throws of the season for a Flyer. In addition, she took fifth at the A-10 Outdoor Championships (156-06) in the hammer throw.

Zaccari placed ahead of five in the shotput at the championship. An A-10 First Team selection, Zaccari won gold in the shot put at the A-10 Indoor Championship (46-04.25) and took second at the outdoor championship meet (45-07.25). She finished in first place four times this past season and holds eight of the top 10 best throws on the team.

Only the top two finishers of each event earned a spot on the U.S. team that will compete at the 2008 IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland in July.