The Dordt University women's track and field team qualified two events for finals on the first day of the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships hosted by Indiana Wesleyan in Marion, Ind.
Elyse Kuperus and the 4x800 relay both advanced to their respective final in today's prelims. Running in the second heat, Kuperus placed sixth in her heat and turned in the 13th fastest time overall to solidify a spot into Saturday's final. The senior ran a personal best time, 11:11.32, shattering her previous best by eight seconds.
"Elyse ran the best race of her career today," commented Assistant Track and Field / Head Cross Country Coach Nate Wolf. "She went out and positioned herself very well during the first four laps of the race and then held on with a gutsy last 3.5 laps to qualify for the final. This incredible performance continues a strong trend of races in the steeplechase this spring for her."
Coming in as the No.2 seed, the Defenders' 4x800 relay breezed into tomorrow's final with a season-best time of 9:08.06. They were in either first or second place for the entirety of the race, placing second in their heat to defending champion British Columbia by less than a second and over 12 seconds ahead of the third place team (Goshen). The Defenders finished with the fourth fastest time overall and will be one of nine teams competing for All-American honors in tomorrow's final.
"The women's 4x800 looked strong as they took care of business in their prelim today," stated Head Coach Craig Heynen. "Bethany Ten Haken set the tone with a fantastic leadoff carry and we were able to maintain that throughout the race. The final tomorrow will be a great race; the Defenders will be in the mix for the title."
Competing in the only final among the running events on day one,
Jessica Kampman placed 16th out of 35 runners in the 10,000m. Kampman posted a time of 37:49, just off her personal best, and finished eight spots ahead of where she as seeded (24th).
"Jessica had a solid night in the 10K," said Wolf. "She ran a smart, strategic first half of the race, showing good patience throughout the early laps. Jessica's finish on the first night of outdoor nationals concludes an incredible year that saw her compete at all three championships (cross country, indoor / outdoor track)."
Defender Results:
- 4x800 Prelims
- Elyse Kuperus - 3000m Steeplechase Prelims
- advanced to finals
- sixth fastest time in heat two
- 13th fastest overall
- personal best time, 11:11.32, by eight seconds
- 2nd best time in program history
- Jessica Kampman - 10,000m Finals
- finished 16th out of 35 runners
- 37:49.26
- 4th fastest time in program history
Thursday's Line-Up (all times are eastern)
- Women's 4x800 Final - 6:10pm
- Women's 4x400 Prelim - 8:15pm
