The Rundown
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For the second time in three days, the University of San Francisco track and field's Charlotte Taylor qualified for the NCAA Finals, this time in the 5,000-meters.

Taylor, the senior from Spalding, England, qualified for her second event at the NCAA Finals in two weeks, putting in another strong performance at the NCAA West Preliminaries. Competing in the 5,000m on Saturday evening, Taylor bounced back from narrowly missing out on qualification in this event last year,  posting a time of 15:41.09, which not only enough to qualify her for the finals but put her at 11th overall and with a seasonal best.

Joining Taylor in the 5,000m, and just narrowly missing out on qualification, was teammate Weronika Pyzik. Pyzik finished 19th overall with a time of 16:01.78, which is a seasonal best for her. The junior from Bilgoraj, Poland, had qualified for the NCAA Finals in the 10,000m two days prior and will be joining Taylor in that event next month.
 
On Friday, Mohamed Aziz and Alex Howard took to the track for the 3,000m steeplechase, amongst a packed field. Aziz would finish 40th overall with his time of 9:07.46, while Howard would cross the line in 45th with his mark of 9:14.81.
 
Both Taylor and Pyzik will have two weeks of training before they head up to Eugene, Ore. for the NCAA Finals on June 6-9. Taylor, taking to the track in two events, will be defending her national championship in the 10,000m.

COACHES QUOTES
Head coach Helen Lehman-Winters
On the performances from Taylor and Pyzik in two distance events in one weekend:
"I am so impressed with how both Charlotte and Weronika handled the 10k/5k double this week. Both of these races were by far the fastest 5k and 10ks in NCAA history and they stuck to their race plans and ran with such poise."
 
On Taylor qualifying for the 5,000m this year after just missing in 2017:
Last year, Charlotte walked away from this meet coming up short and not qualifying in the 5k. The fact that she can double back after such a hot 10k and come from behind to grab the final qualifying spot in her heat speaks to what a tough competitor she is. They (Charlotte and Weronika) have both raced so little this season and will be even better in another two weeks and ready to step it up another notch."
 
USF Results
Friday:
3,000m Steeplechase (M) – heats beginning at 8:20 p.m.
40. Mohamed Aziz – 9:07.46
45. Alex Howard – 9:14.81
 
Saturday: 
5,000m (W) – heats beginning at 8:45 p.m.
11. Charlotte Taylor – 15:41.09
19. Weronika Pyzik – 16:01.78