Official Press Release From Jamaica Olympics Association

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Another former Villanova great has earned a nomination to the 2016 Summer Olympics, as sprinter Monique Morgan was named to the Jamaica's Olympic Team in a press release earlier this week. Morgan, who competes in the 100 meter hurdles, was one of 63 athletes nominated to the country's squad for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next month. Morgan, a 2007 graduate who has also been a Wildcats volunteer assistant coach, is headed to the Olympics for the first time.

Morgan joins three Villanovans who were previously announced as Olympians this year. Men's track & field runners Sam McEntee and Patrick Tiernan will each represent Australia in the 5000 meters, while former men's basketball player Kyle Lowry will play for Team USA in Rio. There has been at least one Olympian representing the Wildcats at every Summer Olympics since 1948.

Since the end of her collegiate career, Morgan has consistently performed at an elite level for Jamaica. She won a gold medal for her country at the 2013 Central American and Caribbean Senior track & field championships, and also won a national championship at the 2014 National Senior Championships in Jamaica. Winning the national title earned her a spot on the Jamaican squad for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland later that summer.

Morgan earned All-America honors both indoors and outdoors during her collegiate career. She advanced to the final of the 100 meter hurdles outdoors in 2006 and placed eighth to earn her first career All-America honor. Morgan was also the 2007 BIG EAST champion and ECAC champion in the 100 meter hurdles. She earned All-BIG EAST honors outdoors in the 100 meter hurdles (2006, 2007) and the 400 meter hurdles (2006) outdoors. During the indoor track & field season, Morgan was an All-American in the 60 meter hurdles in 2007. She was the BIG EAST champion in the event in 2005 and 2007, as well as winning the ECAC title in 2006. Morgan garnered three All-BIG EAST honors in the 60 meter hurdles (2005, 2006, 2007).

Morgan ranks in the top three in school history in three different hurdle events. She is second in the Villanova record book in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 13.06 which was recorded on May 27, 2006 in the final of the NCAA East Regional in Greensboro, N.C. She also ranks third in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 59.15 which was recorded at the 2006 BIG EAST Championships in Storrs, Conn. Morgan ranks third in the 60 meter hurdles indoors with a time of 8.17 which came on March 3, 2007 in the semifinal heats of the ECAC Championship in Roxbury, N.J.