Thursday marked the start of the 2015 NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships and one Panther was ready to make her claim on the national championship in the women’s 100 meter dash. (FIT Image)
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Thursday marked the start of the 2015 NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships and one Panther was ready to make her claim on the national championship in the women’s 100 meter dash.
At the Grand Valley State University Track & Field Complex in Allendale, Michigan, Rachel Tobin proved she belonged among the nation’s elite sprinters.
The freshman was slotted in the preliminary round’s first heat, which ended up being the fastest heat in the first day of the competition.
Tobin finished fifth overall in the race with a personal-best time of 11.65. Her run crushed the program record of 11.85 in the 100 meter, which she set earlier this season. Raven Covington of Winston-Salem State garnered the first spot in the heat and the second seed in the final race at 11.55. Janae Johnson of Lincoln (Mo.) earned the top overall seed in the final with a run of 11.45.
Rachel Tobin
In the preliminary round of the national championships, the top two finishers in each heat automatically qualify for the final on Saturday. After all of the prelims are complete, the next three best times advance to the final.
Unfortunately Tobin missed the cut by one spot. Although, all is not lost for the forensic psychology major as she will be able to carry her impressive performance into her best event, the 200 meter dash.
Tobin will line up in the third position in heat No. 2. The preliminary round of the 200 meter will begin on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Also competing on Friday is Tobin’s teammate, Alexis Santiago. A native of Naples, Florida, Santiago will look to break-the-tape in the women’s 100 meter hurdles.
The freshman and current program record holder in the event will take the sixth position in heat No. 3. The 100 meter hurdle prelims kick-off at 6:35 p.m. ET.
Pete Mazzone
“Rachel ran great today and achieved a big time personal-record,” said head coach Pete Mazzone.
“She is dialed in as always. We are really proud of her and how she has responded all year. She is in the 200 meter prelims tomorrow and that is her best event. Alexis is in the 100 meter hurdles tomorrow as well. Alexis and Rachel have fed off each other all year so we are excited to see the two run great tomorrow.”
Friday’s events will be video streamed at NCAA.com starting at 5:30 p.m. ET.
