FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Norfolk State junior James Taylor finished 10th in the national semifinals of the 200 meters Friday night at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship at the Randal Tyson Track Center at the University of Arkansas.     

Taylor finished second in his heat, clocking a time of 20.96 seconds. It was his second-fastest non-converted time of the season. Akheem Gauntlett of Arkansas won the heat in 20.72 seconds and was the only one of the four sprinters in Taylor's semifinal to advance to the final. The top eight out of the field of 15 competitors in the four semifinals advanced to the final based solely on time, regardless of their standing in the heats.

Ameer Webb of Texas A&M defended his 2012 indoor 200m title Friday night. He clocked a world-leading time of 20.37 seconds in the semis, then posted a winning time of 20.42 in the finals.

Still, by virtue of placing in the top 16 nationally, Taylor was named a second-team All-American by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The top eight finishers comprise the first team, while nine through 16 make up the second team. Taylor gives NSU an indoor All-American in the 200 meters for the second straight year, after Sean Holston earned first-team honors with his sixth-place finish last season.

Friday marked Taylor's first appearance at an NCAA national championship meet. He also qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Round (formerly the East Regional) in the 200 meters last spring.

Taylor was one of only three MEAC athletes, male or female, to advance to the national meet this year. The others were Hampton's Benita Taylor in the 800 meters, who was 11th out of 16 in her event; and UMES' Andre Walsh, who placed 15th in the 200 meters Friday night.