Three Dons Set to Compete in the 2009 NCAA Track West Regionals

May 27, 2009

(San Francisco) - USF Track is set to send its largest contingent to compete this weekend in the NCAA West Regionals May 29-30 at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Senior Michelle Born (5000), sophomore Nicole Bowler (1500, 3000 Steeplechase) and sophomore Jesus Romo (3000 Steeplechase) are set to represent the Dons in action at the meet hosted by the University of Oregon.

"For all of three of these athletes, this is the highest stage of competition they have ever faced," USF head coach Helen Lehman-Winters said. "The most important thing for them to focus on is doing exactly what got them here plus just a little more. The reality is that it is just another race and they are healthy, excited and fit. All three of them could not be in a better place at the right time of the year."

Born qualified for the 5000 after posting a time of 16:48.30 at the Mt. Sac Relays April 17 in Los Angeles. A three-year letter-winner, Born later shattered the school record setting a school record in the event with a time of 16:38.87 at the Payton Jordan Invitational May 3 in Palo Alto.

"Michelle is on a roll. Her momentum over the course of the past six weeks has been impressive," Lehman-Winters said. "She has set back-to-back personal bests in her last five races on the track. She is extremely fit and if she is patient and maintains her composure she can run herself into a great position."

Bowler is the first woman in program history to qualify in multiple events. Bowler qualified for the 3000 steeplechase after winning the event at the Aggie Open March 14 with a school record time of 10:42.93. Bowler notched her second qualifying time April 11 at the Woody Williams Classic, running the 1500 in a school record time of 4:26.72.

"Nicole only ran one year of high school track. We knew last year as a frosh that she had a ton of potential, so it is exciting to see her qualify for the first round of NCAAs in two events. She has a wonderful opportunity to make the final in the 1500 and has a ton of room for improvement in the steeple, so she has an exciting weekend ahead of her," Lehman-Winters said.

Romo became the second male in USF history to qualify for NCAA Regionals when he broke through for a school record 9:06.38 in the 3000 steeplechase at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational April 25 in Berkeley.

"Jesus was a 4:55 miler in high school, walked on to our team last year and ran 9:49 in the steeple," Lehman-Winters said. "He is certainly not a kid that most coaches would have projected to be competing at this level but he is patient and has worked very hard over the past two years. He has gotten better with every race so we are really excited for the opportunity he has before him."

Born competes in the 5000 final Friday, May 29, while Bowler has 1500 prelims Friday and then races in the 3000 steeplechase final on Saturday. Romo competes in the 3000 steeplechase final on Friday. The top five in each event automatically advance to the NCAA Championships June 10-13 at Fayetteville, Ark., although some at-large berths will also be awarded.

NCAA West Regional Entries Women: http://web1.ncaa.org/track/eventFiles/d1woutF4.txt?SPSID=4367&SPID=243&DB_OEM_ID=500 Men: http://web1.ncaa.org/track/eventFiles/d1moutF4.txt?SPSID=4367&SPID=243&DB_OEM_ID=500