SEATTLE (May 22) ­ Nyema Sims, the top sprinter in Oregon, has signed a national letter of intent to run for Seattle Pacific University's track and field team.

Sims, a senior at Portland's Jefferson High School, is unbeaten in the 100-meter dash and has won seven of eight races between 200-400. She owns the state's best times in 100 (12.04) and 200 (24.66).

Sims is the No. 1 seed in both sprints at the upcoming Oregon 4A state championships this weekend in Eugene., and she is also entered in the high jump where she has a best clearance of 5 feet, 2 inches.

As a junior Sims was runner-up in the state 100 and fourth in the 200. She was third at both distances as a sophomore.

Sims joins several other SPU recruits with strong credentials. Among them, Jessica Pixler (Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) owns Washington's top times in the 800 and 3200, and Jane Larson (Fall City, Wa./Cedar Park Christian) is No. 2 in both the 1600 and 3200.

Under first-year head coach Karl Lerum, Seattle Pacific won Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships in women's indoor and outdoor track this year. Seven members of the Falcons are bound for the NCAA Division II Championships, which begin Thursday in Emporia, Kansas.