June 3, 2008

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Senior Wake Forest track and field athlete Michelle Loyd received All-Region recognition from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for her performance in the 400m hurdles at the East Regional Championships over the weekend.

Loyd's mark of 58.06 was the eighth best time in the competition and became a new program record in the event for Wake Forest.

Only the top five performers in the event received automatic bids to the NCAA Championships, scheduled for June 11-14 in Des Moines, Iowa. The at-large bids will be released later this week, and with Loyd's time ranking in the national top 15 from performances last weekend, there is a strong chance she will receive an invitation to compete in Iowa.

At the 2007 NCAA Regionals, Loyd set a personal best time of 1:00.19 in the 400m hurdles, taking a 12th place finish. In the 2008 outdoor season, Loyd has broken the minute mark at every single outing, recording her previous top performance of 58.33 at the Wake Forest Open for a new school record. Loyd also ranks in the top ten of the Wake Forest All-Time performance list in the 400m dash, 100m hurdles and the 1600m relay.

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