Butler's Becky Lyne Advances In NCAA Championship

June 11, 2003

Butler's Becky Lyne won the first heat of the 800 meter run on the opening day of competition at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship held at California State University at Sacramento on Wednesday, June 11. The Butler junior advances to the 800 meter semifinals, which will be held on Thursday, June 12.

Lyne survived her first test by out-racing the 800-meter field in 2:03.97. Her winning time was nearly one second better than Alice Schmidt of North Carolina, who won the third heat and turned in the second best time of the opening day. The initial field of 28 runners was cut to 16 for the semifinals.

Lyne, who owns Butler's indoor and outdoor 800 meter records, earned a spot in the NCAA national meet by winning the Mideast Regional with a time of 2:02.89.

Butler's other competitor at the NCAA national meet, senior Gary Blackman, placed 12th in his preliminary heat of the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 8:56.46, but didn't advance to the semifinals.