New Hampshire's scholastic record-holder in the 100-meter hurdles, Betsy Garnick of Nashua's Bishop Guertin, became one of six national athletes to earn All-America honors in the heptathlon at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor track and field championships at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C., last weekend.

Garnick, who staged an outstanding spring season with short-sprint state records in three consecutive meets, tallied 4,475 points to finish fifth overall in the national competition which was won by Aaron Howell of Farmington Hills, Mich., with a total of 5,071 points.

“Betsy put in a phenomenal effort,” said Cardinals hurdles coach Robert DeSisto. “The field was extremely competitive this year. Her point total would have placed her second a year ago.”

Garnick performed her best under pressure.

In the heptathlon's first event, the shot put, the Cardinal junior recorded a fifth-place put of 30-feet, 7.75 inches. She had never bested 30 feet prior to the throw.

She finished second in her specialty, the 100-meter hurdles, in 14:27. Her current state record is 14:09.

Garnick added a runner-up 25.56 in the 200-meter dash, which is the best New Hampshire 200 time through the championship season.

In other events, Garnick registered a fourth in the long jump (17-5.25), a sixth in the 800-meter run (2:27.18) and a 13th in the high jump (4-7.5).

In the hep's seventh event, the javelin, Garnick fouled on her first two attempts and was faced with the pressure of a legal third throw or the alternative of being shut out in the event. She responded with a 70-2 throw.

“Betsy's performance would have scored in just about every college meet in America,” said DeSisto. “She truly turned in an outstanding performance.”