University of Minnesota Athletics
Anderson, Swenson Advance to NCAAs in 1,500m
5/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Minnesota added two more NCAA Championships qualifiers in the third and final day of the NCAA West Preliminary Round meet in Austin, Texas.
Gabriele Anderson and Nikki Swenson advanced in the 1,500-meter run. Anderson clocked a time of 4 minutes, 16.22 seconds in placing third, while Swenson was 12th with a personal-best time of 4:20.89.
Anderson moved the lead with 300 meters remaining in the race. Kansas' Lauren Bonds passed her late to win the quarterfinal round. Swenson's goal in the race, and one that worked well, was to stick with Anderson as long as she could. Swenson will make a return trip to the NCAA Championships in the event.
Natalie Devine matched her season-best height in the high jump of 5 feet, 8 1/2 inches to place 14th. She needed to clear 5-10 to advance to the NCAAs.
DeAnne Hahn competed in the hammer throw and placed 34th with a throw of 173-3.
The Gopher 4x100-meter relay ran into the same problem as they did at the Big Ten Championships. A failed handoff resulted in an "DNF" - did not finish.
A total of four Gophers will compete in the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., on June 9-12: Megan Duwell (10,000m), Nikki Tzanakis (discus), Anderson (1,500m) and Swenson (1,500m).
Players Mentioned
