SACRAMENTO, Calif. – South Dakota State’s Rachel King made more more history late Friday night at Hornet Stadium.
The junior became the first Jackrabbit female to advance to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in a track event.
King placed third in her heat and 10th overall in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the West Preliminary, breaking the 10-minute mark for the first time – 9 minutes, 57.75 seconds – to topple her own school record.
The top three finishers in each of the three heats plus the next three best times advanced.
Boise State’s Allie Ostrander was the top finisher with a 9:40.20 clocking.
Syracuse’s Paige Stoner won the East Preliminary in Tampa, Fla., with a time of 9:48.73. King had the 14th-best time overall amongst the 96 preliminary participants.
On Saturday, junior Kyle Burdick ended up eighth in his heat and 18th overall in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 3:46.66.
The top five from each of the two heats and the next two fastest times advanced to Eugene, as Burdick missed a spot in the finals by 2.62 seconds. He was 13th in the first round in 3:46.7 on Thursday.
Burdick later competed in the 5,000 meters but did not finish.
Sophomore Bryant Courter, who was seeded 13th, finished 36th in the triple jump with a mark of 48 feet, 7 1/2 inches. Senior Mason Leiseth was 41st in the shot put at 55-5 3/4.
The top-12 finishers from each event in both preliminaries advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, to be held June 6-9 in Eugene, Ore.
Note: King’s race Friday night began after the Register’s deadline.
NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFIERS
SDSU Division I era
2018 – Rachel King, 3,000-meter steeplechase
2017 – Kyle Burdick, 1,500 (13th in preliminaries)
2016 – Jazzelena Black, triple jump (16th; second-team All-American)
2014 – Mary Wirth, high jump (12th; second-team All-American)
2012 – Jared Vlastuin, long jump (18th)
2010 – Sara Ackman, discus (22nd)
2009 – Sara Ackman, discus (21st)
Photo from www.gojacks.com.
