Davis Advances to Finals of Steeplechase at NCAA's

STEEPLECHASE RESULTS

PUEBLO, CO—Bloomsburg University's Vicki Davis (New Ringgold/Schuylkill Haven) advanced to the finals of the Steeplechase at the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships by finishing second in her heat on Friday. The Huskies Katie Filemyr (Willow Grove/Bishop McDevitt) also competed in the Steeplchase, but did not finish her heat after aggravating a previous injury. The championships are being held at Colorado State-Pueblo.

Davis, competing in her third NCAA championships this year, finished second in her heat with a time of 11:07.61 behind Alicia Nelson of Adams State who won with a time of 11:01.44. Davis ran with the lead pack of six runners for the first five laps before she and Nelson broke away from the group. Nelson then pulled away from Davis to earn the win. But with the top four spots in each heat guaranteed a spot in the finals, Davis saved her energy for Friday's final and cruised to a second place finish.

Head coach Bernie Empie feels Davis ran a smart race.

"Vicki was in control the whole race and the goal was to qualify," said Empie. "I am very proud of her effort and how she handled the race. She has had an excellent season and making it to the final to give her an opportunity to stand on the podium which is the ultimate goal."

In final Davis will be seeded eighth in the field of 12 with Susan Tanui of Alaska-Anchorage the top-seed with a time of 10:50.98. Davis' best time in the event is 10:34.52 earlier this season. The PSAC will be well represented in the NCAA Division II finals with Corinne Fitzgerald of East Stroudsburg and Kasey Jones of Edinboro joining Davis at the starting line on Friday.

Empie is also proud of the effort Filemyr gave.

"Katie has been nursing a hurt for for a few weeks and it just got the best of her tonight," Empie added. "She has had a phenomenal career and she had helped transition our distance programs to a higher level."

By advancing to the finals Davis will also be running three races in three days. She qualified for the 5000 meter final on Saturday.

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