May 29, 2009

(Eugene, OR) - Two of San Francisco's record three NCAA Regional qualifiers competed in day one of the meet at Historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Sophomore Nicole Bowler is the first ever USF female to advance to a final from a prelim in NCAA Regional action. Competing in the first of two heats of the 1500m, Bowler finished seventh in her heat at 4:27.90. The top four qualifiers in each heat, plus the next four fastest times, advanced to the finals tomorrow. Bowler initially qualified for the event after running a school record time of 4:26.72 at the Woody Williams Invitational on April 11.

Bowler will compete in both the 1500m and the final of the 3000m steeplechase tomorrow. She qualified for the second event at the after winning it at the Aggie Open on March 14 with a school record time of 10:42.93.

Senior Michelle Born qualified for the 5000m after posting a 16:48.30 at the Mt. Sac Relays on April 17 in Los Angeles. She later shattered the school record, setting it at 16:38.87 on May 3 at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto. Born did not finish the race on Friday.

Along with Bowler, sophomore Jesus Romo will compete in the men's 3000m steeplechase tomorrow.

You can follow meet results at http://www.goducks.com/fls/500/track/0809/regional/index.htm?&SPSID=4364&SPID_OEM_ID=500