University of San Francisco Athletics

FOLLOW USF TRACK & FIELD – FACEBOOK

FOLLOW THE DONS – FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

Complete Results

Des Moines, IA — USF's Eva Krchova barely missed qualifying for the finals of the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday night at Drake Stadium.

Only the top six finishers in each heat, along with the next two fastest qualifying times, advance to the finals. Krchova turned in the 15^th fastest time, making her the first runner left off the finals qualifying list. Both at-large qualifiers came from Krchova's heat, which was the faster of the two heats.

Her 15^th-place finish garnered second team All-American honors.

Krchova began near the back of the pack, but moved into sixth by the end of the first lap. After two laps, Colorado's Emma Coburn, Richmond's Nicol Traynor, Clemson's Alyssa Kulik and Princeton's Ashley Higginson broke off from the main pack. Krchova was in the trail pack with Indiana's Sarah Pease, Illinois' Chantelle Groenewoud and Oregon's Melanie Thompson.

The sophomore remained in sixth or seventh position for the majority of the second half of the race, but dropped to eighth mid-way through the final lap and went into the final turn in ninth to finish in 10:09.82. Krchova was disappointed after the race, but said she will use this race as motivation for next year.

"She positioned herself well early, but didn't crank it up in the second half of the race," USF coach Helen Lehman-Winters said. "She ran mostly the same pace throughout the race. It was only her third race at the championship level though so she is continuing to gain racing experience."

This wraps up an impressive collegiate season for Krchova, who set school records in the steeplechase, 1500, indoor mile and indoor 3,000. She set school records in five of the first six indoor and outdoor track races she ran in this season. 

"She would have liked to end the season on more of a high note," Lehman-Winters said. "But we are very proud of what she accomplished this year and are excited about her future."

Krchova will continue her season in Europe by running in four major meets in the next month. Her final race will be at the European Championships in mid-July.