Donovan Selected NWC Men's Track Student-Athlete of the Week
SALEM, ORE. -- Ben Donovan (Jr., Minneapolis, MN/South HS) of Willamette University has been named Northwest Conference Men's Track Student-Athlete of the Week for his victory in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Willamette Opener on Saturday, March 5. Donovan won the steeplechase with an NCAA Division III provisional qualifying time of 9:22.61.
Wins Steeplechase in NCAA Provisional Qualifying Time of 9:22.61
SALEM, ORE. -- Ben Donovan (Jr., Minneapolis, MN/South HS) of Willamette University has been named Northwest Conference Men's Track Student-Athlete of the Week for his victory in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Willamette Opener on Saturday, March 5. Donovan won the steeplechase with an NCAA Division III provisional qualifying time of 9:22.61.
Donovan's winning margin was 2.78 seconds over his nearest rival, Tyler Dudley of Whitworth, who took second place at 9:25.39. Donovan completed the race more than two seconds under the provisional qualifying standard of 9:25.00, while Dudley missed the standard by less than one-half of a second.
It is the second consecutive season that Donovan has recorded an NCAA provisional qualifying time in the steeplechase.
A provisional qualifying mark does not guarantee that an athlete will compete at the NCAA Championships. Instead, it places the athlete on a list of eligible top times which the NCAA will use to determine the additional competitors who will join automatic qualifiers in the event.
Willamette's next competition in track and field is scheduled for Saturday, March 12 at the Lane Community College Dual in Eugene, Ore.
Ben Donovan earned a winning time of 9:22.61 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.