In a 10,000 meter race that saw both the American and Japanese national records broken, Illinois State senior track standout Stacia Beste was the top collegiate finisher in tenth place and an ISU and Valley record time of 34:08.22 at the Cardinal Invitational Friday night in Stanford, California. The time automatically qualifies Beste for the NCAA Outdoor Championships on May 30-June 2 in Baton Rouge, La.
Stacia was not going to be denied a chance to compete at the NCAA Championships, said Illinois State head coach Jeff Pigg, following the race. She told me afterward that over the last two miles all she could think about was giving every ounce of energy she had and that she wanted no regrets when the race was over. She is a great kid and she deserves to have her dream (of competing at the NCAA Championships) come true.
The previous ISU and Valley record in the outdoor 10,000 meter run was held by former Redbird All-American Sue Daggett, who earned a time of 34:13.70 on April 26, 1996.
Yoko Shibui of Japan and Deena Drossin of the United States set national records in the race for their respective countries to highlight the Cardinal Invitational at Cobb Track & Angell Field. Shibui ran 30:48.89 to win the race, while Drossin was clocked in 30:50.32. Drossin beat the previous American record of 31:19.89 set by Lynn Jennings in 1992.
The Redbirds will compete at the Illinois Open on Saturday, May 11, before heading to Cedar Falls, Iowa, on May 15-18 for the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships hosted by Northern Iowa.
