April 13, 2006
SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State freshman Kristin Olafsdottir placed fifth out of an elite field of 17 athletes on Thursday during the final day of competition at the Mt. SAC Relays Hepathlon in Azusa, Calif. Olafsdottir tallied a lifetime best of 5,402 points, finishing a close third behind the Oregon duo of Kalinda McFadden (5,428 pts.) and Lauryn Jordan (5,426 points) among collegiate entries. Reidun Walllin totaled 5,580 points to claim the title over Jackie Poulson (5,468 pts).
Olafsdottir's score was bolstered by a first-place finish in the 800 meters as the Reykjavik, Iceland, native raced to a personal-best time of 2:13.75. She also logged a personal best in the long jump (19-1.50) and added a season best in the javelin (106-11) en route to an NCAA provisional qualifying mark and the sixth-best heptathlon total in school history. With her effort, Olafsdottir also established a new standard of excellence in her native Iceland, surpassing that country's national record of 5,204 points set by Birgitta Guðjonsdottir in 1985.
In Thursday's twin competition from Azusa, the California Invitational Heptathlon, junior Kristin Karhio placed 11th out of 27 athletes with 4,570 points, just six points behind ninth-place finisher Dierra Poland of Air Force. Bettie Wade of Michigan won the event with 5,147 points.
Meanwhile down the road in Walnut, several Aztecs competed on the opening day of the prestigious 48th Annual Mt. SAC Relays, held at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College. Junior Lisa Crampton set a personal best in the 5,000 meters for the second time in less than a week, crossing the finish line with a 17:15.94 clocking, which ranks ninth on SDSU's all-time list.
Other notable performances on the day included a pair of season-best efforts from sophomores Sherraine Pencil (55.61) and Brittani Dudley (56.68), who placed fifth and eighth, respectively, in the Olympic development section of the 400, while junior Lisa Naucler also posted a season-best 2:13.06 in the university/open division of the 800.
The Mt. SAC Relays will resume on Friday for the Aztecs, beginning at 2 p.m. with the women's high jump.
Mt. SAC Relays Heptathlon
Azusa, Calif.
Final Results (SDSU finishers only):
5. Kristin Olafsdottir 5,402 pts.
California Invitational Heptathlon
Azusa, Calif.
Final Results (SDSU finishers only):
11. Kristin Karhio 4,570 pts.
48th Mt. SAC Relays
Hilmer Lodge Stadium--Walnut, Calif.
Thursday's Results (SDSU finishers only):
400 Meters (Olympic Development University/Open)
5. Sherraine Pencil, 55.61
8. Brittani Dudley, 56.68
800 Meters (University/Open)
16. Lisa Naucler, 2:13.06
800 Meters (Olympic Development University/Open)
18. Mandy Upuu, 2:17.60
Discus Throw (University/Open)
20. Michele Dannhausen, 131-5
Javelin Throw (University/Open)
13. Michele Dannhausen, 115-4
1,500 Meters (University/Open)
34. Lisa Naucler, 4:50.29
5,000 Meters (University/Open)
19. Lisa Crampton, 17:15.94
29. Sarah Belger, 18:11.79.