SEATTLE (May 15) ­ Middle-distance running champion Jessica Pixler is among a group of eight Seattle Pacific University qualifiers for the NCAA Division II track and field championships next week in Charlotte, N.C.

Pixler (Fr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) holds the top entry mark in the 1500 meters and is No. 2 in the 800. She was the national indoor mile winner in March.

Altogether, the SPU women's contingent includes three freshmen and nine of the Falcons' 10 entry marks rate among the top seven. Pixler and two teammates athletes are each entered in two events.

Brittany Bekins (Jr., Everett, Wa./Cascade) is No. 2 among javelin qualifiers and No. 3 in the heptathlon. Molly Barnes (Sr., Burien, Wa./Highline) is third in the javelin.

Teona Perkins (Sr., Kennewick, Wa.) is tied for sixth among high-jumpers and Jane Larson (Fr., Fall City, Wa./Cedar Park Christian) is No. 6 in the 3000. Ranked seventh are Karin Rohde (Jr., Bellingham, Wa./Mt. Baker) in the steeplechase and NyEma Sims (Fr., Portland, Or./Jefferson) in the 200. Sims will double in the 100.

Eddie Strickler (Sr., Richland, Wa.) is the No. 9 seed in the men's 800. He finished eighth indoors.

Pixler, Perkins, Larson, Rohde and Sims also competed at the NCAA indoor meet. Perkins was fourth in the high jump and Rohde fifth in the mile. Seattle Pacific finished seventh indoors and 26th outdoors last season.