Stacia Beste highlighted that one of her main goals at the 2002 Outdoor Track and Field Championships was to improve on her 15th place NCAA finish in the 10,000 meter run last season. Improve she did! Beste claimed eighth and earned All-American status at this years national meet with a time of 34:59.84, which was less than 36 seconds off the winning pace of Kristin Price, a sophomore from North Carolina State.
"I was really content after the race was over," said Beste. "My goal since I came in as a freshman was to be an All-American. I knew that this was my last chance and I went into the race calm and optimistic. I am glad my career at Illinois State ended so well. I am sad it is over, but I will have a lot of good memories."
Stacia has just had a tremendous season, said Illinois State head coach Jeff Pigg, following her performance. I think her setbacks during the indoor season (not winning conference titles in the 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs) made her tougher. To run a 25-lap race in late May in Louisiana, you need to be tough.
She wanted to end her career at Illinois State as an All-American and she did it tonight, said Pigg. I am so happy to see things turn out the way they did for her.
Beste was unavailable for comment following the race.
JaRod Tobler finished the mens long jump with three fouls and was eliminated from further contention. He finished the event in 21st place out of the field of 21 competitors. Randy Lewis, a junior from Wichita State and the only other Missouri Valley Conference competitor competing in the mens long jump, finished second overall with a mark of 26-1 3/4.
JaRod is obviously very disappointed with his finish, said Pigg. The good thing is that he is young and has seen the big time now and knows that he wants to come back. He knows now what is expected at this level of competition and knows what the opponents are like. He will do whatever it takes to get another shot.
