Ostrander Reaches Finals in Steeplechase at NCAA Championships

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

DELAWARE, OHIO -- Taylor Ostrander (So., Soldotna, AK/Kenai Central HS) of Willamette University took second place in her preliminary heat in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase on Thursday, May 22 to advance to the finals at the 2014 NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships.

Ostrander competed in the second of two heats and registered a time of 10:48.86. She trailed only Amy Cymerman from St. Lawrence University (N.Y.), who won the heat in 10:41.32. Ostrander is running at the NCAA Championships for the second year in a row. She has qualified for the finals for the first time.

Cymerman earned the top time of the preliminary heats. Sophie Goobic from Heidelberg University (Pa.) won the second heat in 19:41.96

The top five runners in each heat plus the athletes with the next four fastest times advanced to the finals, which will be held on Saturday, May 24 at 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT.

Michaela Freeby (Jr., Milwaukie, OR/Rex Putnam HS) of Willamette, who was recovering from a leg injury, was among the leaders in the first heat for much of the race, but was unable to finish at full speed. She crossed the finish line in 11:09.96 for eighth place in the heat and 17th place overall.

Kit Kingstad (Sr., Beaverton, OR/Beaverton HS) ran in the first of two preliminary heats in the men's 1,500-meter run. He completed the race in 3:54.63 to finish 10th in his heat and did not advance to the finals, despite having the 10th fastest time overall.

Kingstad's time was faster than every runner in the second heat, which was won by Paul Escher from St. Olaf College (Minn.) in 3:55.02. The top four finishers in each heat reached the finals regardless of their times, while the runners with the next four fastest times also advanced.

On Saturday, the finals in the 1,500 will include the top eight finishers from the first heat and the top four finishers from the second heat. Since he is not running in the finals, Kingstad will take 14th place overall.

Freeby and Kingstad were each competing at the NCAA Championships for the third consecutive year. Freeby placed 13th in the steeplechase in 2012 and received All-America honors by placing fourth in 2013. Kingstad earned 16th place in the 1,500 in 2012 and was 17th in 2013.

Saturday's Schedule:

In addition to Ostrander running in the final of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, Saturday's schedule features competition in three field events involving the Bearcats. Meka Townsend (So., Okanogan, WA/Okanogan HS) will participate in the first of two flights in the women's javelin throw, which gets underway at 12 p.m. EDT/9 a.m. PDT.

Jordan Loos (Jr., Springfield, OR/Thurston HS) will compete in the first of two flights in the men's javelin throw, which starts at 3 p.m. EDT/12 p.m. PDT. Bekah Daniel (Sr., Jr. elig., Silverdale, WA/Central Kitsap HS) is scheduled at the end of the second flight in the women's triple jump, which also begins at 3 p.m. EDT/12 p.m. PDT.

The top nine athletes overall in the preliminary flights will advance immediately to the finals in the field events.

Willamette University at the
2014 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Friday, May 23

No events involving Willamette athletes

Saturday, May 24

Meka Townsend
Women's javelin throw, Prelims followed by Finals (9 a.m. PDT)

Taylor Ostrander
Women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, Finals (10 a.m. PDT)

Jordan Loos
Men's javelin throw, Prelims followed by Finals (12 p.m. PDT)

Bekah Daniel
Women's triple jump, Prelims followed by Finals (12 p.m. PDT)