The opening day of the NCAA championships brought a mix of weather and emotions. Sophomore Lucy Yates represented us in the semi final round of the 800 meter event. In her first time at the NCAA championships she was in a tough heat that featured the defending NCAA champion (indoors and outdoors) as well as another All-American. As rain poured down from the sky she got out well and went through the first lap at 60.7. As she turned down the backstretch she positioned herself well in fifth. As she approached the 600 meter point of the race at 1:33.2 she went to make her move, however nothing was left in the tank. Unfortunately, she faded and finished 23rd overall.
Despite the outcome, she was able to run her race and gain valuable experience for future NCAA championship events. I give her a lot of credit as she was upset, but made no excuses for her race. She went in believing she belonged here and her goal was to make the final. She ran fearless and she ran her race. Many times you see first time athletes at this meet worry too much about the competition and that causes them to run someone else's race. The race she ran is the one that allowed her to get as far as she did. She just wasn't able to finish the way she normally does. Better days will come because of today's outcome.
She did set the school record in Austin, TX two weeks ago (2:06.21) and didn't run hard the last 15 meters. So we know there is more improvement ahead. It has been an outstanding season for sure.
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