MARKITA JAMES
Event: 400mH
Height: 5-10
Weight: 138
PR: 54.47 (2006)
Born: June 28, 1983
Current Residence: Auburn, Ala.
High School: Smiths Station (Ala.) HS
College: Auburn ‘06
Coach: Henry Rolle
Agent: Peter Stubbs
Club: Nike

Career Highlights: 2006 NCAA champion, 2006 SEC champion, 2-time NCAA All-American

James improved her personal best by almost three full seconds from 2005 to 2006 and is now top-5 in the country … helped the Auburn women’s team to its first ever National team title at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships by winning her own national title in the women’s 400 meter hurdles in a school record 54.47 seconds. James originally thought she had placed second behind Texas' Melaine Walker, but Walker was disqualified for a lead leg violation for hooking a hurdle, bumping up James for the win…nickname is "Kita"...majored in sociology.

2008: 9th in Olympic Trials semi-finals (56.18)
2007: 5th at USA Outdoors (55.63)…5th at Pre Classic (56.69)…2nd in Fortaleza (55.48)…4th at Madrid (56.52)…ranked #5 in the U.S. by T&FN…best of 55.48.
2006: 7th at USA Outdoors (55.78)…NCAA champion (54.47)…SEC champion (56.44) and 5th in 400m (52.99)…3rd at Penn Relays (56.78)…ranked #7 in the U.S. by T&FN…best of 54.47.
2005: 5th in semifinals at USA Outdoors (57.65)…4th at NCAA Outdoors in 4x400m (3:29.21) and 5th in semifinals of 400mH (57.41)…5th at SEC Champs…best of 57.41.
2004: 4th in heats at NCAA Outdoors (58.24)…6th at SEC Champs (58.30)…1st in 400m at Gatorade Classic (54.63)…best of 58.24.
2003: 5th at SEC Champs (59.31)…3rd in 400m at Auburn Invite (56.09)…1st at Spec Towns (60.98)…best of 59.31.
2002: did not compete (redshirt)

2/12/08