Lincoln, NE – Six Friends University athletes, including two new competitors, hit national qualifying marks this weekend at the last-chance University of Nebraska Tune Up.
Doug Pierce improved on his provisional national qualifying mark in the triple jump. His leap of 46-07.50 is an automatic qualifying mark and placed him sixth in the competition. “Doug is improving every week,” said Coach Matt Kennedy. “And I think this is a trend you can expect to see continue.” Peirce also improved on his personal and school record time in the 60 hurdles. Pierce’s 8.51 is .01 off the national qualifying standard.
Not only did Pierce’s leap improve his national ranking and indoor personal best, but by hitting the automatic national standard, the third and only remaining provisional entry once again became available. Earlier in the day, Damian Berry set a personal and school record in the 400 meters and will compete at the indoor national meet for the first time. Berry, a senior from Fort Worth, Texas, finished in 50.07. “I am so proud of Damian for stepping up in the clutch and qualifying in his last chance,” said Coach Brad Peterson. “He dropped almost a full second from the last time he ran. And to do this in his senior season is even sweeter.”
Middle distance runners Megan Shepherd and Lanae Kidd added a second event each for the indoor national championships. Shepherd, a sophomore from Circle HS, qualified easily in 600 yard run and Kidd, a freshman from Sunrise Christian HS, hit the provisional standard in the 800 meters.
“Megan made her third time a charm as she executed the race well and had a great kick,” said Coach Peterson. Shepherd’s 1:28.55 in the 600 won her heat, set a new personal and school record and is 1.83 seconds under the automatic national qualifying mark. Shepherd had previously run 1:32.21 on this track January 15th, and she fell in a 600 meter race at Missouri Southern. “Megan is becoming one of our most versatile athletes in the middle distance.”
In the first 800 meter race of her college career, Lanae Kidd hit the provisional national qualifying mark by finishing in 2:20.81. “Lanae ran yet another outstanding race in her stellar indoor season. She has clearly established herself as our best middle distance runner,” said Coach Peterson. “Lanae runs with great focus and poise every time out and shows maturity beyond her years out on the track against great competition.” With the addition of Shepherd and Kidd, Friends University will be well represented in the middle distance events at the indoor championships. The women’s 4x800 meter relay is currently ranked 14th on the national list with final declarations due this week.
Also in the women’s 800 meter race, Kristie Adams ran the fastest time of her career. The freshman transfer from Butler County crossed the line in 2:27.32.
The newest female competitor to punch her ticket to the indoor championships is Karissa Cominator. Cominator, a sophomore from Bristol, Indiana, dropped a whopping 27 seconds off her pervious 5,000 meter time two weeks ago and finished seven seconds under the provisional qualifying standard. “Karissa ran the perfect race,” said Coach Peterson. “She remained patient in the early stages and that enabled her to run even splits throughout the race and finish strong. Karissa believed strongly she would attain the standard and that is half the battle in distance running. She has had great workouts the last few weeks so I knew she was ready for a big one.” This will be Cominator’s first trip to the indoor championships.
In the women’s 3,000 meter race, Taylor Doll turned in the best time of her career. Doll’s 10:55.72 is almost one minute better than her previous best. “This was by far Taylor’s best race of the entire indoor season. She went out smartly and patiently and passed a lot of girls throughout the race,” said Coach Peterson. “Taylor has worked extremely hard this indoor season and it finally paid off with this race. I’m really looking forward to her outdoor races because I think she will do some special things in both the 5k and 10k.”
In other action, Matt Ditzler continues to run at a high level. Ditzler placed third in a tactical men’s 3,000 meter race, but still reeled off a personal best and school record time of 8:39.36. “[Ditzler] had to do most of the work but he still ran an “A” standard time,” added Coach Peterson. “I thought Matt ran a solid race. It was disappointing to see so many runners not pushing the pace in a last chance meet.” After pulling the pack for the majority of the race, Ditzler finished just behind athletes from San Diego State and Wichita State.
Also in the men’s 3,000 meters, Dan Neidlinger ran a personal best time of 8:54.33. Neidlinger will compete at the indoor championships in the 5,000 meter race.
In other action, Lacey McFadden tied her personal and school record in the 60 hurdles finishing in 9.57 and Allen Shockley improved on his personal best time in the 800 meter race by finishing in 2:01.25.
The Friends University Track & Field teams will head to the 2010 Indoor Track & Field National Championships on Monday. Competition in Johnson City, TN is set to begin Thursday, March 4 and wrap up on Saturday, March 6.