Track athletes record top 20 finishes

Although the West Virginia track and field team competed in the NCAA Outdoor Championships two weeks ago, the season was not over for three athletes.

Seniors Keri Bland, Clara Grandt and Karly Hamric competed at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships last week at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

WVU was the only school in the country to have three seniors qualify for the USA Championships after competing in the NCAA Championships two weeks ago. Bland competed in the 800 meter, Hamric in the 1,500 meter and Grandt in the 10,000 meter

"This competition is the elite of the elite," said WVU head coach Sean Cleary. "To have three home grown athletes qualify for the competition was a testament not only to the focus and determination they possessed throughout the year but also their mental stamina to have run so well after such a long year."

Grandt put forth her best effort of the season and was rewarded with her best performance of the year. The West Union, W.Va., native placed ninth in the finals of the 10,000-meter event (33:22.54).

After claiming all-American honors in the cross country and indoor track seasons, Grandt most recently received the same honor for her performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships when she finished fourth in the 10,000 meter.

Cleary said 90 percent of the athletes were running in their first meet of the season and will continue to run this summer in Europe. He added the runners that competed in NCAA events were exhausted after completing a strenuous season.

"The college runners that ran throughout the NCAA season looked very tired, including the young lady from Iowa that won the NCAA meet two weeks ago," Cleary said. "Clara ran the best race of any collegiate runner. A direct result of years and years of hard work, needless to say, she is looking forward to a break."

Hamric finished 15th in the 1,500-meter event (4:19.43). With four Olympians and a handful of national champions taking part in the 1,500 meter, Cleary said Hamric's result was solid.

"This was her first time running at this level," Cleary said. "For that matter, Karly's season has seen a number of firsts for her. Simply put, she fell just 200 meters short of standing on the line with the 12 best milers America has to offer. In time, she will indeed finish that race off."

Bland followed suit, finishing 20th in the 800 meter (2:05.63).

Clearly said words could not describe how happy and full of pride he was for the three Mountaineers and West Virginia natives.

"This entire team has had a year of breakthroughs. It does not happen without many contributing factors," Cleary said. "My staff, our support staff and the support of the administration is crucial. Our motto is brick by brick. Although the house is not yet built, we surely have the frame in place."