Wednesday, January 16, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Helen Crofts of Simon Fraser is the early season NCAA Division II national leader in the women’s 800 meters.  Crofts finished third in the event at the University of Washington Indoor last Saturday in a time of 2:10.71 earning the best time of the season among NCAA Division II athletes.

GNAC athletes posted four early season Top 10 times in the event.  SFU’s Michaela Kane ranks fourth (2:13.64) and the Clan's Sarah Sawatzky ranks ninth (2:15.15).  McKayla Fricker of Seattle Pacific currently ranks seventh (2:14.84).

Those are the only Top 10 ranked GNAC athletes.   Simon Fraser is also ranked 11th nationally in the women’s 4x400 relay (3:54.41).  Laura Tesch of Saint Martin’s ranks 11th in the high jump.

In all, GNAC athletes established 11 provisional national qualifying marks and also had 10 GNAC all-time Top 10 marks in meets last weekend.

NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL LEADERS: Men: 60 – 18. Alex Donigian, WWU, 6.89.  Women: 60 – 19. Kishia Mitchell, SPU, 7.73.  800 – 1.  Helen Crofts, SFU, 2:10.71; 4. Michaela Kane, SFU, 2:13.64; 7. McKayla Fricker, SPU, 2:14.84; 9. Sarah Sawatzky, SFU, 2:15.15. 60 Hurdles – 20. Tanya Bjornsson, WWU, 8.94. 4x400 – 11. Simon Fraser 3:54.41. High Jump – 11. Laura Tesch, SMU, 1.67 - 5-5 ¾.  Long Jump – 19. Emily Warman, WWU, 5.53 - 18-1 ¾. Triple Jump – 17. Alexis Anderson, WOU, 11.66 - 38-3 ¼; 19. Stephanie Kellogg, SMU, 11.62 - 38-1 ½.

LAST WEEK’S NATIONAL QUALIFIERS: Men (1): 60 – Alex Donigian, WWU, 6.89. Women (10), 60 – Kishia Mitchell, SPU, 7.73. 800 – Helen Crofts, SFU, 2:10.71; Michaela Kane, SFU, 2:13.64; McKayla Fricker, SPU, 2:14.84; Sarah Sawatzky, SFU, 2:15.15.   4x400 – Simon Fraser 3:54.41. 60 Hurdles – Tanya Bjornsson, WWU, 8.94. High Jump – Laura Tesch, SMU, 5-5 ¾. Long Jump – Emily Warman, WWU, 18-1 ¾.  Triple Jump – Alexis Anderson, WOU, 38-3 ¼. 

LAST WEEK’S ALL-TIME TOP 10 PERFORMANCES: Men (2):  60 – 2.  Alex Donigian, WWU. 6.89; 9. Michael Davis, SMU, 6.97.    Women (8):  60 – 3. Kishia Mitchell, SPU, 7.73; 8. +Christabel Leonce, NNU, 7.90.  3000 – 4. Katie Thrall, SPU, 10:07.98. 4x400 – 5. Simon Fraser 3:54.41; 9. Seattle Pacific 3:56.39.  60 Hurdles – 4. Tanya Bjornsson, WWU, 8.94; 6. +Marie Smith, NNU, 9.04. High Jump – 9. Laura Tesch, SMU, 5-5 ¾. Triple Jump – 6. Alexis Anderson, WOU, 38-3 ¼.   Weight Throw – 7. Becki Duhamel, CWU, 52-6.  +At Nampa.  All other performances at UW.