Complete results (PDF)
AUSTIN, Texas – Two University of San Francisco runners advanced in the first day of competition at the NCAA Preliminary Championships Thursday night.
Racing in Heat 2 of the preliminaries in the 1,500 meters,
Sophie Curl finished the circuit in 4:27.64 to take third. The top five finishers in each heat advanced to the quarterfinals, which will take place at 4:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium. In order to make it to Eugene, Ore., Curl will need to again finish in the top five of her quarterfinal race. The redshirt junior from Bellingham, Wash., made it to NCAA Finals weekend in 2012 in this same event, finishing ninth in her heat.
Two USF women competed in the 10,000 meters semifinals.
Jana Soethout, a junior from Cologne, Germany, cruised to the NCAA Finals. The USF school record holder in the 10,000 meters finished the race in 34:59.17 to take fourth.
Maor Tiyouri, a junior from Kfar Saba, Israel, came in 23rd after posting a time of 36:07.34.
"I am so pleased with how Jana managed herself in a slow tactical race," head coach
Helen Lehman-Winters said. "She got herself in a good position early and was patient, and then ran hard over the back end making her way through the field to finish fourth."
The top 12 student-athletes advance directly to Eugene, Ore., and Soethout will compete Wednesday, June 5, for the national title.
USF Results
1,500 Meters
12.
Sophie Curl – 4:27.64
10,000 Meters
4.
Jana Soethout – 34.59.17
23.
Maor Tiyouri – 36.07.34
