Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
NCAA Regionals
Katie Christianson Advances To NCAA Championships
5/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
May 27, 2005
FRESNO, Calif.- Heading into this season, senior Katie Christianson had never qualified for NCAA Regionals. After a tremendous performance in Eugune, Ore., on Friday afternoon, she's ready for another first.Making her NCAA Regional debut, Christianson recorded a personal-best mark of 20-3 (6.17m) in the long jump to finish first in her flight and fifth overall. That distance is enough to award her a berth in the NCAA Championships, scheduled for June 8-11 in Sacramento, Calif.
A gold medalist at the WAC Outdoor Championships, Christianson was the only Fresno State athlete to advance to the next round on the opening day of NCAA Regionals. Entering this weekend, Christianson's career-best stood at 19-7.25 (5.98m). Her mark on Friday ties her for third-best in school history.
Five other Bulldogs were competing in individual events on Friday. Senior Chris Berrian placed fifth overall in the 100-meters with a time of 10.44 and will participate in Saturday evening's final. Berrian will also compete in tomorrow's 200-meter race, which will be run tomorrow night as a final after being originally scheduled for Friday.
Seniors Lexine Lesser and Annie Malaythong were competing in the pole vault. Lesser finished 12th overall with a vault of 12-6 (3.81m) while Malaythong tied for 17th at 12-0 (3.66m). Both Lesser and Malaythong- NCAA Regional participants in each of the past two seasons- had reached at least 12-5.50 (3.80m) during the regular season.
Sophomore David Endler took 16th overall in the discus with a toss of 169-8 (51.72m). The men's 4x100-meter relay team of Alex Jones, Jesse Smith, Kenny Moon and Rico Morales placed eighth with a time of 41.24. Jones was a late substitution for Berrian.
Sophomore Ryan Moore was a scratch in the 400-meter hurdles due to a hamstring injury.
Competition continues Saturday morning. Among the Fresno State entrants on Saturday are: senior five-time WAC champion Russell Weaver (pole vault), sophomore All-American Mallory Webb (javelin) and sophomore WAC champion Andrea Buckner (steeplechase).
Players Mentioned
