Recaps »» Day One

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 25) -- Jessica Pixler of Seattle Pacific University won her qualifying heat to clinch a spot in her second final Friday night at the NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships.

Extending her unbeaten string versus collegians to 11 in distances under a mile, Pixler (Fr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) won her heat of the 800 meters in a personal-record time of 2 minutes, 7.44 seconds. That clocking broke the Great Northwest Athletic Conference record and ranks No. 3 all-time for the Falcons.

"Jessica's running like an animal," said SPU coach Karl Lerum. "We'd like her to save something, but she refuses to let anyone beat her, even in these heats."

Vanessa Whittle of Abilene Christian was second to Pixler in 2:07.76 and top-seeded Venessa Lee of Pittsburg State (Ks.) had the third-fastest time in 2:09.09.

Pixler had qualified for the 1500 final by winning Thursday. That final takes place 70 minutes prior to the 800 Saturday night at the Irwin Belk Complex.

Two SPU runners were eliminated Friday. Just missing the men's 800 final was Eddie Strickler (Sr., Richland, Wa.). He ran a PR of 1:50.59 but missed the cut by two-hundredths of a second. Strickler was ninth; eight advanced.

In the women's 200 NyEma Sims (Fr., Portland, Or./Jefferson) was fifth in her heat and 20th overall in 24.86.

Two events concluded without the Falcons earning any points. Jane Larson (Fr., Fall City, Wa./Cedar Park Christian) faded in the final stages of the 3000, taking a non-scoring 12th in 10:11.62.

Brittany Bekins (Jr., Everett, Wa./Cascade) wound up ninth in the heptathlon. She scored 4747 points. Bekins gained ground, moving up four places with a javelin throw of 127-11. But she was then was overtaken in the 800, despite running a PR of 2:20.69. Her long jump had been 16-1 1/2.

Lerum said Bekins, who has been experiencing back spasms related to an earlier intercostals muscle injury, will compete in the open javelin final Saturday. Teona Perkins (Sr., Kennewick, Wa.) will high-jump.