Eagles Close, But Fail to Score at Nationals

Meet Results 

(3/8/08 - Women's Track and Field) JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Despite posting several marks that were just on the cusp of qualifying for the scoring rounds, the Concordia women's indoor track and field squad was unable to break through to tally any points at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Despite finishing out of the team competition for the first time in seven seasons, the Eagles still has plenty of strong marks to be proud of as they returned home from the chilly Tennessee weather. Starting things off, Linsie Michels came within 0.69 seconds of qualifying for the finals in the 600 meters. Her time of 1:36.75 was just off the pace, though it was also less than two seconds off a school record and bested her previous time of the season.

Stretching out to the distance events, both Sandra Prado and Alma Escobar competed in the 3,000 meters. Prado finished 10th in her section with a time of 10:45.18 while Escobar was 11th in the second heat after crossing the line in 10:47.87.

Prado and Michels joined Yanely Estrada and Aubree Caruana for the Distance Medley Relay and led the team to a 5th place finish in the second heat. Their time of 12:32.50 was less than three seconds off the final qualifier, putting the youthful group in great position for a run at the finals next season.

A pair of firsts happened for the Eagles in the field events as Kelsey Wood became the first Concordia athlete to compete in the high jump at the national event while Michelle Franks made an Eagle debut in the triple jump. Wood stayed consistent from her marks during the qualifying campaign and cleared 5'3" to capture 12th place while Franks bested her own school record with a mark of 36'7" to place 5th in her section.

Completing the team was two-way standout Marie Gardner. Though she did not qualify in her sprint event, Gardner was able to qualify for the shot put and finished 4th in her heat with an opening-round throw of 41'5.75".

The outdoor season fires into action for the Eagles in three weeks as they take place in the Point Loma Nazarene Invitational in San Diego on Saturday, March 29.