Latosha Wallace’s last minute decision to visit New York City’s Icahn Stadium and compete in Saturday’s USA Track and Field National Club Championships paid off.  Her decisive victory in the women’s 400m hurdles was the confidence booster that she needed after failing to qualify for the finals at last month’s USA Track and Field National Championships.

“I felt mentally turned off after USA Championships,” said Wallace, who competed unattached. “Not running well in the semifinals was disappointing, but I decided to run here because I knew I needed more race reps.”

Though she was hoping to run sub-57 seconds, she’s not complaining too much about running an unchallenged race that resulted in her winning in 59.16.

“Mentally, I handled myself well,” said Wallace. “I kept my composure, executed and fought hard to the end.”

Wallace, who was a 2008 Olympic Trials finalist, also works with the Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Charter School as a tutor, mentor and track and field coach. She’s currently unsure of where she’ll compete next, but is already excited about her plans to compete in next season’s Gotham Cup 800m at The Armory as a stepping stone toward the 2016 Olympic Trials. 

By winning the men’s 400m hurdles in 49.80, Emanuel Mayers helped the Shore Athletic Club win the Championship’s men’s title. Other Shore Athletic Club men’s winners included Wilfredo de Jesus in the hammer throw (58.28m), Kristop Kornegay-Gober in the high jump (2.20m), James Plummer in the discus (59.09m), Barry Krammes in the javelin (71.63m), Richard Luettchau II in the 5,000m race walk (23:11.47), and the 4x800m relay team (7:46.25).

Central Park Track Club-New Balance took the Championship’s women’s and combined team titles. Their women’s winners include Erin Koch in the 1,500m (4:33.30) and Tiltilope Fagade in the 800m (2:11.50) along with their 4x800m relay (9:22.23) and distance medley relay (12:50.35) teams.

The CPTC men earned victories in the 4x100m relay (39.75) and distance medley relay (10:26.29).

Paul Dedewo, running for Chelsea Pier, had one of the meet’s most notable performances with his 45.41 victory in the 400m over William Shell of Kansas City Smoke who ran 45.96.

Find full results here: http://icahnstadium.org/sports/2014/2/7/LIVE_RESULTS.aspx