Highsmith Named to USA Under-23 National Team

STORRS, Conn. (June 24, 2008) - University of Connecticut women's track and field standout, Tamara Highsmith (East Haven, Conn.), has been named to the USA Under-23 National Team that will compete in Toluca, Mexico July 18-20. Highsmith becomes the third athlete in program history to be named to a USA National Team.

Highsmith follows five-time All-American Deirdre Mullen, who was a member of the 2004 USA Under-23 Team in the high jump as the USA competed in Sherbrooke, Canada. Three-time All-American, Terry Roy, was also a member of the USA Junior National Team that traveled to Korea. Roy was outstanding in the heptathlon for both the Huskies and the USA programs.

Highsmith earned All-America honors early this month, as she took the title with a successful seventh place finish at the NCAA Championship in the triple jump. The two-time All-American was given the honor after the indoor season as well, as she also finished seventh in the triple jump at the NCAA meet in Arkansas. She recorded the 22nd All-America title for the program overall with the honor.

"This is yet another fitting honor for our senior captain," said head coach Bill Morgan. "Joining Trisha-Ann Hawthorne, who was recently named to the Jamaican Junior National Team, in Poland to compete, Tamara will have an opportunity to extend her season in Mexico with the National Team. Recognized as an elite performer in her speciality, she has certainly placed herself among an incredible group of athletes in the United States.

"I am sure she realizes the significance, along with the responsibility, that is associated with representing her country," added Morgan. "As she completes preparation for the 2008 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon in the coming days, I am certain her motivations to perform will be at their highest level. The team and staff are very pleased and proud of this most recent development."