Clara Grandt - photo courtesy of MSNsportsNet.com
By Allison Hoehn for MSNsportsNet.com
June 11, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University track and field junior Clara Grandt finished fourth in the 10,000-meter finals at the NCAA Championships to earn All-America honors Thursday night at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Ark.
Grandt ran the race in 33:45.16 to earn her first All-America honor. Providence’s Donette Doetzel won the race in 33:25.71 followed by Cecily Lemmon of Brigham Young (33:39.97), and Anita Campbell of Washington (33:43.33).
“I’m very happy about it,” Grandt says. “I’ve come so far these past few years and this has been such a positive experience.”
Grandt started off the race behind the lead pack before finding her stride. Around the 6,000-meter mark, the junior closed the gap, passed them and lead the race for a while, before easing up down the home stretch.
“She ran a smart and intelligent race,” comments Coach Sean Cleary. “We’re ecstatic for her to earn her first All-America honor, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for her.”
Chelsea Carrier placed ninth in first round of the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.46. The top 18 qualified to advance to the semifinal round scheduled for tomorrow, June 12, at 6:55 p.m.
Along with Carrier’s event, Marie-Louise Asselin will compete in the final of the 5,000-meter race tomorrow at 8:15 p.m.
“It’s been a perfect weekend so far,” adds Cleary. “We brought three student-athletes and all three have succeeded and advanced. We’re very happy and are looking forward to tomorrow’s events.”
Live results and video can be accessed at NCAA.com. Live television coverage will be broadcast by CBS Sports on Friday starting at 7 p.m., and Saturday beginning at 1 p.m
UPDATE:
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – After several weather delays, both Chelsea Carrier and Marie-Louise Asselin concluded their events at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., late Friday evening.
Carrier finished 15th in the semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.55. Moriam-Seun Adigun of Houston won the race in 12.91 to top the field of nine who advanced to the finals.
Asselin did not finish the 5,000-meter event after completing just nine laps.
After three days of competition, the West Virginia University track and field team’s 2009 outdoor season is now concluded.