June 12, 2004

AUSTIN, Texas - Senior Jasmine Washington concluded her Gaucho track & field career on Friday night in Austin Texas with a 23rd place finish in the 400m at the NCAA National Championship. Washington leaves Santa Barbara as the most outstanding female sprinter in Gaucho history.

Washington finished 7th in her preliminary heat of the 400m with a time of 54.25. She failed to advance to Saturday night's nine woman final. Washington finished 23rd out of the 28 athletes in the four prelim races, improving on her ranking of 28th going into the competition.

Washington's participation in the national championship meet culminated an outstanding sprint career at UCSB. The fifth-year senior from San Francisco leaves UCSB as the school record holder in the 100m (11.82), 200m (24.22) and 400m (53.58). She also had a hand in 3 record setting relays, the 4x100m, 4x400m, and the distance medley.

Washington was named UCSB Track & Field Most Valuable for the 2004 season along with teammates Amy Haapanen, Cosette Smith and Desiree Leek. Washington won the 2004 Big West Championship in the 400m, after finishing fourth as a freshman, third as a sophomore, and the runner-up as a junior.