Both veteran and rookie Lady Eagles qualified for the NCCAA National Competition at the Central Oklahoma Open on Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma.
Freshman Ainsley Ibison placed third in the mile with a season-best time of 5:26.62. Her time surpassed the national-qualifying time for the event. The time was not only a season-best for Ibison but was a season-best for the entire Oklahoma Christian University women’s team.
Freshman Paradise Henson recently posted national-qualifying times for the 60 and 200-meter races and did it again on Saturday, improving her 60-meter time with a new time of 7.18 seconds.
The Lady Eagles said they were excited and proud of their young runners.
“I was really happy for Paradise and Ainsley,” junior Tara Lewis said. “They’ve been working really hard and they deserved a day like Saturday. And we’re proud of them and excited for what the rest of the season holds.”
Another season-best came from senior field competitor Katie Ostlund. Ostlund and her younger sister, sophomore Miranda Ostlund, both qualified for nationals in the weight throw. Katie hurled a season-best throw at 40 feet, 9 inches, while Miranda posted a mark of 43 feet, 7 inches, earning a national spot despite falling short of her season-best.
The 1-mile relay team of Rebecca Bloodworth, Kara Drewke, Wilmina Gley and Maegan Cowan placed fifth with a time of 4:13.2, a season-best for the Lady Eagles.
Cowan also raced in the 800-meter race and placed eighth with a time 2:28.4.
It was a successful day for the the Lady Eagles, Track and Field Head Coach Randy Heath said.
“The girls knew coming in it would be a very large and very tough meet,” Heath said. “But they responded tremendously and had a good showing at Central Oklahoma Open. We kept our focus throughout and saw many improvements within the team and I’m excited to see what the season holds.”
The Lady Eagles will return to Norman on Jan. 31 to compete in the Central Oklahoma Indoor Invitational.
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