June 19, 2009

(San Francisco, CA) - USF assistant Track and Field/Cross Country Coach Tom Kloos has qualified to compete in next week's USA Nationals meet at Hayward Field (University of Oregon) in Eugene, Oregon. Incoming Dons freshman Sophie Curl is also set to compete in the USA Junior Nationals meet at the same venue.

Kloos qualified for the 3000m steeplechase after running an 8:39.2 at the Oregon Twilight meet on May 9 of this year. The qualifying standard for the event is 8:45.0. He is currently ranked 14th on the 2009 U.S. list and at the conclusion of the prelims, the top 14 finishers will advance to the finals.

Prelims for the 3000m steeplechase begin next Thursday, June 25 at 7:25 PM. The finals for the event are on Saturday, June 27 at 5:40 PM.

Kloos previously competed in the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in 2003 and 2007. His personal best in the 3000m steeplechase is an 8:30.6, finishing ninth in 2003.

Incoming Dons freshman Sophie Curl will be competing in the USA Junior Nationals meet at the same venue. Her personal best in the 800m is 2:13.02. Prelims for the event start at 2:20 PM on Saturday, June 27 and the finals take place at 4:15 PM on Sunday, June 28.

Curl is a native of Bellingham, WA, where she competed at Squalicum High for head coach Tim Irvin. Currently, Curl holds the third fastest time in Washington in the 1600 with a time of 5:04.69. She also boasts a personal best of 58.74 (500). In 2008, Curl placed eighth at the 2008 2A Washington State Cross Country Championships.