North Carolina State University Athletics
Freshman Smith Takes 19th in Steeplechase
5/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Track
May 29, 2002
Baton Rouge, La. - The first day of the 2002 Outdoor NCAA Track & Field Championships where held at LSU Wednesday night, and NC State got off to an impressive start in day one. Sophomore Kristin Price finished first in the 10,000 meters to become NC State's first national champion in outdoor track since 1993.
Price ran the 10,000 meters in 34:26.63, and earned All-American status with the win. Teammate Beth Fonner took 18th in the race with a time of 36:09.39.
Fonner took an early lead in the race but was overcome by the field midway through the race. The national leader, Jodie Hodges, along with Price, Tara Quinn of South Florida and Yale's Laura O'Neill took over the race with five laps remaining. With a 15-meter lead on the bell lap, Price soared around the track to win by 45 meters in 34:26.63. Quinn finished second more than seven second behind, while O'Neill was third and Hughes struggled home for fourth.
Competing in her first NCAA Championships, senior Katie Bolac placed 17th in the finals of the pole vault. The school record holder for indoor and outdoor pole vault, cleared 12'03.50" fro her best mark of the day.
On the men's side, freshman Andy Smith ran in the prelims of the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Smith finished 19th overall with a time of 9:00.00, but did not advance to Friday's finals.
Tomorrow for the Wolfpack will be the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase prelims and the finals of the men's 10,000 meters.
