PISCATAWAY, NJ -- Rutgers track and field student-athlete Shameka Marshall (Mizpah, NJ) has been honored as a 2002 Verizon Junior All-American, USA Track and Field announced.

The sophomore computer science major finished eighth at the USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 21-22 in Palo Alto, CA. The top eight in each event were honored by Verizon as All-Americans.

“It’s an honor considering my injury in the fall,” said Marshall, the 2001 NJ State High School Champion in long jump and triple jump. “This is a nice way to come back. I’m ready to strive even more this season and stay focused on my goals.”

Marshall suffered a strained hamstring last year and had to redshirt during the indoor track and field season. She returned for the outdoor season, but participated in only a few meets. Marshall is currently ranked second all-time record in Rutgers history for the outdoor long jump, with a mark of 5.89m. That distance placed her eighth at the 2002 BIG EAST Outdoor Championships. She also placed seventh at the USATF Junior National Championships in long jump.

“Shameka definitely deserves it,” said assistant coach James Robinson. “I feel honored to coach a student-athlete like her. She works very hard and has a positive outlook, and that is the type of athlete you want to coach. She’s very talented and we’re going to hear a lot about her in the next couple of years.”