Jorgensen scores NCAA championships berth
May 29, 2009 | Women's Track & Field
Gwen Jorgensen ran 5,000 meters Friday, and now the Wisconsin senior can keep right on running to Fayetteville, Ark.
Jorgensen scored a runner-up finish in the 5,000 meters on the opening day of the NCAA Mideast Regional, clocking a time of 16 minutes, 11.54 and earning an automatic berth in next month's NCAA Outdoor Championships in the process.
2009 NCAA Mideast Regional
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The ticket she punched in the 5,000 is in addition to the provisional qualifying mark she already owns for the national meet in the 10,000 meters. Jorgensen was an All-American at 5,000 meters last year.
Her time was under the previous Cardinal Park facility record of 16:50.84, a mark now owned by Friday winner Angela Bizzarri of Illinois, who finished just ahead of Jorgensen to take the win in 16:11.00.
The Badgers' other performance in an event final on the first day of regional competition was an impressive ninth-place finish for junior Chavon Robinson in the long jump. Robinson posted a leap beyond the 20-foot threshold for the third-consecutive meet, as she jumped 20 feet, 1/2 inch to take ninth.
Robinson, who also will compete in the triple jump Saturday, entered the long jump competition ranked 15th regionally.
Another pair of UW athletes competed in preliminary-round competition, with sophomore Egle Staisiunaite stepping up to make the finals of the 400-meter hurdles.
Staisiuanite clocked a personal-best time of 59.24 seconds -- sixth fastest all-time at UW -- to make the final and earn a shot at NCAA championships qualification.
In the prelims of the 1,500 meters, senior Maggie Collison just missed qualifying for the final by running a 4:38.08 that placed her 15th. The top 12 finishers advanced to the final.
The pace picks up for the Badgers on Saturday, with Amy Lewis and Megan Rennhack beginning the day at 10 a.m. in the javelin. Monika Jakutyte will compete in the high jump at noon, while Robinson's triple jump competition begins at 4 p.m.
On the track, Staisiunaite will run the 400 hurdles finals at 4:40 p.m., while senior Sarah Hurley takes part in the finals of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 5:15.
