Victoria Mitchell Qualifies For NCAA National Meet

May 29, 2004

Results

Junior Victoria Mitchell continued an amazing initial season at Butler by earning a berth in the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship with a runner-up finish in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the Mideast Outdoor Track and Field Regional hosted by LSU at Bernie Moore Track Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday (May 29). The first-year runner from Australia joined teammate Thomas Frazer, who earned an NCAA bid in the 5,000 meter run on Friday.

Mitchell was part of the fastest 3,000 meter steeplechase field in Mideast Regional history. The top four finishers all broke the previous Mideast Regional steeplechase record of 10:16.16, set by Andrea Kremer of Miami (Ohio) last year. Brianna Shook of Toledo won the race in 9:55.98, while Mitchell came in second in 10:13.31. Amber Ferner of Purdue was third in 10:15.21, while Kremer finished fourth in 10:15.60.

Mitchell, who was named the Outstanding Performer for Running Events at the Horizon League Outdoor Track and Field Championship earlier this month, also broke Butler's steeplechase record of 10:21.20, set by Lois Joslin in 2001.

Junior Monika Schneider joined Mitchell in the steeplechase at the Mideast Regional and wound up placing 19th in 11:06.64.

In the men's competition on Saturday, Butler senior Gary Blackman placed 13th in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 9:21.51.