Oregon State
NCAA West Regional
Carlyle Qualifies for 1,500 Meter Quarterfinal at NCAA West Regional
May 24, 2012 | Women's Track & Field
May 24, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas – Senior track star Laura Carlyle continued her historic season on a windy day in Austin, Texas when she qualified for the 1,500 meter quarterfinal at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field West Regional.
Carlyle was one of 24 athletes to qualify for Saturday's quarterfinal. Of the 24 quarterfinalists, 11 were from the Pac-12 conference, including three from Washington, two from Oregon and one each from Stanford, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, California and Carlyle from Oregon State.
In the race today, the top five from each of the four heats would automatically qualify for the quarterfinals on Saturday and then the next four fastest times would also qualify.
Carlyle, who raced in heat four of the 1,500 meters today, competed against some of the best in the country, including a runner from Oklahoma State who holds the fastest time in the country in this event. Carlyle finished comfortably in second place with a time of 4:30.01 sending her to the quarterfinals.
“She ran great and took the lead with about 500 yards to go and picked up the pace on the last lap and finished second to qualify,” head coach Kelly Sullivan said. “Two years ago she came here to compete and she didn't advance, so two years later to come back here and advance is tremendous.
It was warm today, but she handled it well and felt good. She will take a day of recovery tomorrow and compete with Obum on Saturday, which was the goal, to have them both competing on Saturday.”
Carlyle will join Obum Gwacham on Saturday as they both compete to qualify for the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa June 6-9. Carlyle will compete in the 1,500 meter quarterfinal at 4:45 p.m. PT and Gwacham will compete in the high jump starting at 3:00 p.m. PT.
Fans wishing to follow along with Saturday's NCAA track action can visit the NCAA Championship Central page here.
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