July 16, 2016
NACAC Championships
Event: NACAC U23 Championships
Dates: July 15-17
Site: San Salvador, El Salvador
Final Results: HERE
Triple Jump Results: HERE
Competing in the first international event of her decorated career, Vanderbilt All-American triple jumper Simone Charley took second place on Saturday at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Under-23 Championships.
Charley delivered a top leap of 44-03.25 (13.50), less than two inches behind champion Danielle Gibson of the Bahamas, who posted a mark of 44-05.25. For full results, click HERE.
“Today’s meet was the end of phenomenal season for Simone, and we are so proud of all she has done this year,” Vanderbilt associate head coach Clark Humphreys said on Saturday night.
Charley was one of two Americans to compete in the triple jump — and both were representing the SEC. Darrielle McQueen, from the University of Florida, finished behind Charley in third place with a leap of 42-07.00.
Saturday’s meet in El Salvador completed an intense two-month stretch for Charley, who participated in the SEC Championships, the NCAA Regionals, the NCAA Championships and the Olympic Trials in the past eight weeks.
Charley finished second at the SEC championships — where she set a lifetime best of 45-0.05 — and also took second at the NCAA Championships, finishing behind Georgia’s record-shattering star Keturah Orji at both meets.
Charley then competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials earlier this month, where she suffered a heart-breaking outcome by narrowly missing a spot in the finals. (Recap HERE).
“Simone’s season has been full of emotional ups and downs, but it certainly ended on a high with international competition in El Salvador today,” said Humphreys. “Again, we are really proud of her and we are so excited about her future at Vanderbilt.”
Charley, who also stars on the Vanderbilt soccer team, is a five-time First Team All-American.
CHARLEY’S CAREER TO DATE:
2016 Outdoor: First Team All-American; finished second at the NCAA Championships
2016 Indoor: First Team All-American; finished second at the NCAA Championships
2015 Outdoor: First Team All-American; finished third at NCAA Championships
2015 Indoor: First-Team All-American; finished fourth at NCAA Championships
2014 Outdoor: Second Team All-American; finished ninth at the NCAA Championships
