Montana
NCAA West Regional
DeWalt all business, clinches a spot at nationals
5/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Outdoor Track, Women's Track and Field
May 27, 2011
Montana's Kara DeWalt is heading to nationals. DeWalt qualified in the steeplechase Friday evening at the NCAA West Regional in Eugene, Ore., and will cap her collegiate career in two weeks at Des Moines, Iowa, at her first NCAA Championships.
DeWalt left little to chance, finishing second in the opening of three heats in a time of 10:12.19.
The top three in each heat were assured of a spot to nationals, with the next three fastest times completing the West Region's field of 12 for Des Moines.
"We were around the races yesterday and saw what can happen if you don't take care of business," DeWalt said shortly after her race.
"I didn't want to mess around with qualifying. All I was thinking was, `Top three, top three, top three.' "
The top three seemed to be locked into qualifying spots just a few laps into the race.
Colorado junior Emma Coburn, the nation's best steeplechaser, ran out to a 10-meter lead in the opening 400 and ran alone the rest of the race.
DeWalt and SMU sophomore Klara Bodinson had the heat's fastest seed times behind Coburn entering the race. They broke free of the rest of the pack two laps in and ran together without being threatened.
Coburn had the fastest time of all three heats, running a 9:55.03.
DeWalt closed well the final 150 meters to finally break free of Bodinson, finishing in a time that was less than a second off her personal best and school record.
Bodinson came through in 10:13.05. The fourth-place finisher, Idaho State senior Erica Richardson, was more than five seconds behind the top three.
"We were assuming Emma would run her own race and leave the rest of us to sort things out," DeWalt added.
"It was a really strong race for both (Klara and me). We weren't messing around."
DeWalt, who was competing at her third career regional, will race at Des Moines on Thursday, June 9, at 6:30 p.m. (MT) in the national semifinals. Finals will be held Saturday afternoon, June 11.
"It feels really good. If you could see me, I'm the person who can't take the smile off her face," DeWalt said.
"I know I can go faster, so I'm ready to get back to work. I'm excited about what the future holds for me."
Junior Lynn Reynolds followed DeWalt Friday evening in the men's steeplechase.
Competing in heat one, Reynolds was at the front of the pack two and a half laps in, but he faded over the back half of the race to finish 13th in a time of 9:19.83.
Montana will have two athletes competing Saturday. Sophomore Lindsey Hall competes in the high jump at 1:15 p.m. (MT), and junior Katrina Drennen races the 1,500 meters at 2:30 p.m. (MT).
Hall is already qualified to compete at nationals in the heptathlon, and now DeWalt joins her.
Drennen can make it to nationals for the second straight year Saturday. The 1,500 meters will be broken up into two heats of 12. The top five from each heat, plus the next two fastest times advance to nationals.
