Covenant News

North Park Junior Places 7th in Long Jump Contest

WHITEWATER, WI (March 16, 2004) - North Park University (NPU) junior Lucia Abel placed seventh in the long jump competition at the NCAA Division III indoor track and field meet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater a week ago.

Abel leaped 17 feet, 8 and three-quarters inches to earn All-America honors. Darcell Edwards of McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, leaped 18 feet, 7 and one-quarter inches to win the event.

Abel competed in the triple jump competition, leaping 36-11, but failed to make the top nine overall. Laura Verdegan of the University of Wisconsin-Stout leaped 39-7 for first place.

A native of Angola, Africa, Abel and her Christian family fled to Namibia in the early 1990s and lived in a refugee camp. The family translated for refugees in the camp and while doing so Abel met a mother and daughter from Winnetka, Illinois. That family eventually agreed to sponsor Abel and pay for schooling so she could attend college.

An International Business major at NPU, Abel won the long jump and triple jump at the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin indoor meet two weeks before nationals.

More about Abel's track and field exploits and her journey to the United States can be found on the university website at www.northpark.edu under the athletics and women's track and field links.

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