SEATTLE (May 21) ­ Jessica Pixler, the star middle-distance runner for Seattle Pacific University, has been voted the West Region Track Athlete of the Year for NCAA Division II by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Pixler (Fr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake), who also won the regional award for the indoor season, holds the nation's top entry mark in the 1500 meters and is No. 2 in the 800 She is unbeaten versus collegians at those distances, and won Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles in the 800, 1500 and 3000 earlier this month.

Pixler is now a finalist for the USTFCCCA national track athlete of the year.

The Falcons and Pixler compete at the NCAA Championships beginning Thursday in Charlotte, N.C.

Missing links. For the latest and best information on Seattle Pacific University athletics, stay where you're at -- on The Falcons Online. For updated standings and statistics, see the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web site.