FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Kristen Zillmer is the second Redbird to punch their ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, as the senior distance runner finished third in the second flight of the steeplechase with a time of 10:10.46.
Zillmer stayed with the head pack throughout the race, and with three laps remaining closed in on the third spot to punch her ticket to nationals. Kelly McShea clocked a 3,000-meter steeplechase time of 10:35.77, finishing 12th in the same heat. This is the second-consecutive year Zillmer has notched a spot in Eugene, Oregon.
"Congrats to Zillmer for advancing to the NCAA meet for a second year in a row," interim head track and field coach Jeff Bovee said. "She ran a tough race. There was a lot of pushing and shoving, and she was still able to get the third auto spot. Today, Zillmer ran like a veteran. I know she has a little more in her, as we get going to national meet."
In the ring today, Akil Mills threw a best mark of 59.74 meters (196-00) in the men's hammer throw to finish 21st overall.
"For Akil, it is a tough way to end his career at ISU," Bovee said. "He and Shandel (Ellis), yesterday, competed tough. To see them hang up their jerseys is tough because they meant a lot for our program. We appreciate everything they have done for ISU."
Jianna Williams will kick things off for the Redbirds on the final day of the NCAA West Regional meet, as the sophomore thrower will begin competition at 10 a.m. The men's 4x400-meter relay team of Fabian Norgrove, Antonio Farley, CJ Hamilton and Coty Kramer will run at 9:25 p.m.
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