Ostrander Runs 11:02.01 in Steeplechase to Reach #18 on National List

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

NAPERVILLE, ILL. -- Taylor Ostrander (Fr., Soldotna, AK/Kenai Central HS) from Willamette University earned a time of 11:02.01 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Friday, May 17 at the Gregory Invitational, hosted by North Central College, as she advanced from #31 to #18 on the NCAA Division III national performance list.

The top 22 athletes in each women's event when the performance list closes this weekend will qualify for the 2013 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The NCAA Championships are set for May 23-25 at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in La Crosse, Wis.

In addition to improving her position on the national list, Ostrander moved up from ninth to sixth on Willamette's all-time list in the steeplechase.

Ostrander placed third out of 22 runners in the steeplechase at the Gregory Invitational. Michelle Matter from Ripon College (Wis.) won the race in 10:53.60, while Emma McCarron from Capital University (Ohio) took second place in 11:00.68.

Matter improved from #20 to #11 on the performance list. McCarron lowered her time from 11:01.87, but slipped from #16 to #17 due to Matter's new time.

Willamette's Michaela Freeby (So., Milwaukie, OR/Rex Putnam HS) did not compete on Friday, but remained #4 on the performance list in the steeplechase. She recorded her top time of 10:37.91 at the West Coast Invitational on May 11.

Erynn Rebol (Sr., Cottonwood, CA/Red Bluff Union HS) of WU also competed at the Gregory Invitational on Friday. She achieved a time of 2:14.24 in the 800-meter run to place fifth in the event. It was a solid time for Rebol, but it didn't lower her top time of 2:13.63, which she set at Hayward Field during the Oregon Twilight on May 3.

Rebol's top time in the 800-meter run entering the season was 2:16.31. She lowered the time to 2:15.31 while winning the Northwest Conference title in the event on April 26. She reduced the time by an additional 1.68 seconds at the Oregon Twilight.

Tricia Serres from Luther College (Iowa) won the 800 at the Gilbert Invitational in 2:11.03 and is now #11 on the performance list. Anna Murdock from Franklin College (Ind.) was second in 2:11.34 and Katie Reid from Ohio Wesleyan University was third in 2:12.94. Emily Warner from Washington University (Mo.) placed fourth at 2:13.66. A total of 31 runners competed in the event.