June 13, 2008

DES MOINES, Iowa - LaToya James finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdles final and Donte Nall placed fifth in the high jump to pace the Tar Heels on the third day of the NCAA National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday. Freshman Austin Davis will be in action on Saturday as he competes in the triple jump finals before Brie Felnagle closes out the Tar Heels' 2008 season in the 1500-meter run.

Nall put the Tar Heel men on the scoreboard on Friday clearing 7-1.5 in the high jump final to place fifth and earn four points in the process. As a result of the fifth-place finish Nall garnered the first All-America honors of his young career.

Fellow high jumper Patience Coleman also garnered her first All-America honors on Friday as she finished ninth in the women's high jump final. Coleman cruised over 5-9.75 in her first attempt at the height but was unable to get over 5-10.75 in her final three attempts.

James also picked up her first All-America honor on Friday as she put the Tar Heel women on the board with five points thanks to her fourth-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles. The Burlington, N.C. native clocked a time of 56.91 in the final, after setting a new personal-best and school record in the semifinal on Thursday with a time of 56.82.

Davis finished fourth in his flight and ninth overall in the triple jump as he posted a top jump of 52 feet on his second of three attempts en route to earning a spot in Saturday's final. Davis' leap ranks as his second best during the outdoor season just six inches shy of his personal best.

Charles Cox was also in action on Friday as he appeared in the 400-meter dash semifinals which featured the top sprinters in the nation. The freshman finished 16th overall in a time of 47.37 to close out his initial campaign in Carolina blue.

The Carolina women are currently tied for 32nd after James' five-point performance, while the men are tied for 40th after three days of action.