By Aubrie Spence
Following a second-place finish, behind San Diego State, at the Mountain West Conference Championships, the BYU women are ranked 10th nationally, ahead of 11th-ranked SDSU.
Heading into the NCAA championships Wednesday, June 11, BYU is sending nine athletes who will compete in seven different events.
Three athletes will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, led by All-American and Provo native Kassi Andersen.
At the West Regionals, Andersen recorded the second fastest time in the world this year, finishing the track in 9 minutes 48.57 seconds. This not only marked the second fastest time in BYU history, but also ranked as the second fastest American time this season.
Since mid-April, Andersen has persistently trimmed costly seconds from her time.
At the Mt. SAC Relays on April 19, Andersen ran a 10 minute 5.73 second race.
Three weeks later, at the BYU Invitational, Andersen busted the 10-minute mark, winning the race in a time of 9 minutes 58.57 seconds.
“She just keeps getting better and better,” said distance coach Patrick Shane. “She”s just been terrific. But, she is still learning. She has a lot to learn about the event. The good news is that she”s off to a pretty good start.”
Andersen will be joined by teammates Lisa Antonelli and senior Nan Kennard. Antonelli automatically qualified at the West Regionals.
Other BYU qualifiers in the women”s competition include senior Jaime Cottle in the 1,500 meters, and Kristen Ogden in the 10,000 meters.
Senior Katie Martin will compete in the 5,000 meters joined by Poland native teammate junior Aneta Lemiesz in the 800 meters0.
In the power events, sophomore Lindsey Metcalf will compete in the high jump, and junior Missy Wood will compete in the javelin.
Competition will kick off Wednesday, June 11, and run through the Saturday in Sacramento, Calif.
