Women's Indoor Track Sends Three to National Championships

(Fulton, Mo., March 5)--Three members of the William Woods University women's indoor track team qualified for the 2009 NAIA Indoor Track National Championships in Johnson City, Tenn.  Jessica Bollinger, Cheryl Held, and Kristi Palmer will strive for All-American status beginning on Friday, March 6th.

Sophomore Jessica Bollinger (Ste. Genevieve, Mo.) will compete in the 3000 Meter Run for William Woods. Bollinger will enter the prelims as the 21st ranked runner in the event. She qualified for the event with a time of 10:29.49.  “My expectations heading into the national meet are to race prelims like it is THE race,” said Bollinger. “The finals are non-existent until we make it out of prelims.”

For Bollinger, this will be only the second time she has competed in the 3000 Meter Run this indoor season.  Bollinger feels confident she is prepared to compete on the national stage.  “I was scheduled to race the 3K at our last meet, but didn't get to race. Either way, I was very happy with my one 3K race this year because I felt great during it.”

This will be the first appearance for Bollinger at an NAIA National Championship.  “It is a blessing to qualify for Nationals. Kristi and Cheryl have already competed in national event(s), but this is my first time. I am really excited to compete with such a great field of runners.”

Freshman Cheryl Held (Wildwood, Mo.) will compete in the 5000 Meter Run for William Woods. Held will enter the prelims as the 19th ranked runner in the event. She qualified for the event with a time of 18:29.91. Held also qualified for the 2008 NAIA Cross Country National Championships.  “My expectations heading into the Nationals are to run my personal best and beat my time of18:29,” said Held. “I would also like to make it to the finals in the 5k.”

Held is putting together a very impressive freshman season.  She was named the American Midwest Conference cross country freshman of the year, first team All-AMC, and qualified for the 2008 NAIA Cross Country National Championships.  “Making it to Nationals in cross country made me want to qualify for Nationals in indoor track as well.  I knew it was going to be tough because track is all about speed, and that has always been a weakness of mine.”

Held has adapted well to her first venture into indoor track.  The transition from high school track to the collegiate level can prove to be a big hurdle to overcome, both physically and mentally.  “In high school I did not have an Indoor track season so this is my first season of competition in indoor track. The preparation is a lot different compared to high school.  When I ran track in high school, the 5k was not offered.  Instead, I trained for the 3200 Meter Run.”

Sophomore Kristi Palmer (Ste. Genevieve, Mo.) will compete in the 3000 Meter Run for William Woods. Palmer will enter the prelims as the 16th ranked runner in the event. She qualified for the event with a time of 10:27.38. Palmer is making her third NAIA National Championship appearance. She qualified for the 2008 NAIA Indoor National Championships and the 2008 NAIA Cross Country National Championships.  “My plan is to stay relaxed and confident,” said Palmer. “It's much better than last year because now I have two teammates by my side whereas last year I was the only female and just a freshman.”

Palmer feels her previous appearance at the indoor championships will be a benefit to her.  “Looking back on my performance of last year is a definite motivating factor for me. It was a real learning experience. I now know what to expect and what I can do to make this year's Indoor Championships much more successful.”

Like Bollinger and Held, Palmer is focusing on the Friday prelims.  “The goal for each of us girls is to make it through to the finals. That is our main focus. We are going to race on Friday like it's our only race the whole weekend. If we make it to Saturday, hopefully Jessica, Cheryl, and I will all come home with All-American honors.”

Head coach Brayce Forsha had high expectations for the WWU indoor team this winter.  “I expected to qualify 3-4 women for the National meet,” said Forsha.  “The three ladies that did qualify have been outstanding this season.  They are hard workers and have done all the little things it takes to qualify for the

national meet.”

Two members of the women’s cross country team, and now three members of the indoor track team qualified for Nationals this year.  Coach Forsha is pleased with the direction of both programs.  “I think we are headed in the right direction.  As a coach I want athletes that have the internal drive to be great. The young ladies that make up this team have that.  I feel we have established a positive team environment that is conducive to producing great runners.  I really look forward to the future of this team. “

The future will be on display Friday. Palmer and Bollinger will compete in the prelims of the 3000 Meter Run on Friday, March 6th. The event will begin at approximately 5:25 pm. The finals of the 3000 Meter Run are scheduled for Saturday, March 7th, at approximately 2:05 pm.  Held will compete in the prelims of the 5000 Meter Run on Friday, March 6th. The event will begin at approximately 6:40 pm. the finals of the 5000 Meter Run are scheduled for Saturday, March 7th, at approximately 2:45 pm.