Holliday, Hooker win NCAA titles in track

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — One sport isn’t enough for Trindon Holliday or Destinee Hooker.

Holliday and Hooker won titles Friday at the NCAA track and field championships — Holliday in the 100 meters and Hooker in the high jump. They also excel in other sports that require running and jumping. Holliday plays football for LSU, and Hooker is a volleyball standout.

“We do some drills in football that we also do out here,” Holliday said. “I think they complement each other very well.”

Holliday took the 100 despite a so-so start, finishing in 10.00 seconds. Jacoby Ford of Clemson, another top contender, pulled up at about the midway point with an apparent injury.

“All of the sudden, I didn’t see him anymore,” Holliday said.

Earlier in the day, Hooker won the high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 43‚Ñ4 inches. The Texas junior is the outdoor champion for the third time in four years — she redshirted during 2008 to focus on volleyball. Hooker had been invited to train with the U.S. volleyball team, although she didn’t make it to the Beijing Olympics.

She has her eye on 2012 in both sports, but what if they’re scheduled at the same time?

“I would have to probably beg my volleyball coach,” she said.

Elizabeth Patterson of Arizona finished second in the high jump. Patterson won the title last year when Hooker was absent.

Hooker cleared the first five heights she attempted Friday on the first try.

“I can just sum it up in two words,” Hooker said. “A blessing.”

LSU led the men’s team competition with 30 points after Holliday’s win, although third-place Oregon is still in solid position for a “Triple Crown” after winning cross country and indoor track and field titles earlier this season.

Oregon received a boost when Texas A&M’s 400 relay team was disqualified. The Aggies, among the favorites in the team competition, were tied for seventh with a few events remaining Friday night.

The Texas A&M women were in better shape, just a couple points behind first-place Oregon. Texas A&M’s 400 relay team provided one of the night’s most impressive performances, winning in 42.36 to break a 20-year-old record.