SAN FRANCISCO — No matter the results, Aoibhe Richardson will once again be making history this week for the University of San Francisco.
 
This time, the graduate transfer from Kilkenny, Ireland, will have already made history before she even steps to the line. Richardson is the first-ever woman from the University of San Francisco to qualify for the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships.
 
Richardson will be running in her second national championship of the year, representing the Dons in the women's 5,000 meters on Friday in Albuquerque, N.M., at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
 
2020 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field National Championships
Date: Friday-Saturday, March 13-14, 2020
Time: 6:55 p.m. (Women's 5,000 meters)
Live Stream: es.pn/38DoxlF
Live Results: bit.ly/2W3S59u


 
"Huge accomplishment for Aoibhe, and big step for our program," said San Francisco Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Pat McCurry. "Obviously there has been a high standard of excellence in the history our women's program, so to be the first in that history to make the NCAA Indoor Championships is monumental."
 
Richardson enters Friday's indoor national championship 5,000 race with the 11th-fastest qualifying time. Her performance of 15 minutes, 52.54 seconds on Feb. 15 at the elite Husky Classic in Seattle set a new program record in the event and got her into the 16-person national championship field. She'll be in the No. 14 starting slot for the race.
 
Richardson was already an All-American this year at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship, finishing 19th in 20:30.1 over the 6-kilometer course. She ran in three indoor meets this winter, debuting at the UW Invitational on Feb. 1 in the 3,000. After running the 5,000 two weeks later, she ran the 3,000 again at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Indoor Track & Field Championships, lowering her time by nearly three seconds. She also ran a leg on the Dons' distance medley team that placed eighth in 11:29.11.
 
Both days of the 2020 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field National Championships will be streamed live on ESPN3. A re-air of the championships will play on ESPNU at 6 p.m. Fans can find all live coverage links on USFDons.com.