April 18, 2009
WALNUT, Calif. - San Diego State junior Rachel Williams was one of five Aztecs to post regional qualifying efforts at the Mt. SAC Relays from late Friday to the final day on Saturday.
Williams, who raced in the 5,000 meters at 10:35 p.m. PT on Friday, became the first Aztec since Marie Nilsson in 2004 to qualify for the NCAA West Regionals in a distance event. The junior completed the race in 16 minutes, 41.96 seconds to finish in sixth place. Her performance is nearly 15 seconds better than her previous personal record and ranks fourth all-time in San Diego State outdoor history. Coming into the 2009 season, Williams' lifetime best was 19:00.00.
On Saturday, Karoline Koehler continued her impressive campaign as she broke her personal record in the 100 meters for the second straight day. On Friday, Koehler won the open of the event with a PR of 11.60 and woke up the next day and erased that effort with an invitational time of 11.53, which moves her up to fifth all-time in program history.
Koehler also competed in the triple jump for the first time this outdoor season and leaped a personal-record 43 feet, 9.00 inches. She qualifies for the regional meet with her effort and sits in second-place on SDSU's all-time outdoor performance list.
Other Aztecs to log regional qualifying times were Nicole Stone and Briana Johnson. Stone competed in the 400 meters and crossed the finish line in 54.60, while Johnson posted a time of 13.74 in the 100 hurdles. Both qualified for regionals in their respective events prior to the meet.
San Diego State returns to the track next Friday as one group will compete at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational in Berkley, Calif., while the other travels to UC San Diego for the Triton Invite. Both meets are slated for Friday and Saturday.
Mt. SAC Relays
Hilmer Lodge Stadium (Walnut, Calif.)
San Diego State results only
5,000-Meter Run Open
6. Rachel Williams - 16:41.96
100-Meter Dash Olympic Development
1. Karoline Koehler - 11.53
400-Meter Dash Invitational
7. Nicole Stone - 54.60
100-Meter Hurdles Olympic Development
4. Briana Johnson - 13.74
Triple Jump Invitational
8. Karoline Koehler - 43-09.00