University of Minnesota Athletics
Monica Stearns Headed to NCAA Championships in Pole Vault
5/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Senior Monica Stearns earned a trip the NCAA Championships with a fifth-place finish in the pole vault in the first day's competition at the NCAA Midwest Region Championships in College Station, Texas. Stearns cleared a height of 13 feet, 1 3/4 inches to earn her first trip the national meet that will be held in Austin, Texas on June 9-12.
Melissa Steele advanced to the final in the 400-meter hurdles, posting a time of 1 minute, 1.44 seconds. Steele will have to place among the top five in Saturday's final to advance to the NCAA Championships.
Nina Cotolupenco just missed a trip to the NCAAs by placing sixth in the hammer throw. She did, however, land a career-best throw of 181-10. Liz Alabi also competed in the event, placing 14th with a throw of 175-3.
Nicole Kopari placed seventh in the discus with a throw of 165-0. Amy Netland was 24th in the event with a toss of 151-2.
Also competing for the Gophers were Kadian Douglas and Mollie Hupp. Douglas was fourth in her heat of the 100 meters and finished 14th overall in prelims with a time of 11.66. Hupp was fifth in her heat of the 800 meters and 11th overall in prelims with a time of 2:13.59.
The NCAA Midwest Region Championships concludes on Saturday.
Players Mentioned
