KATHY BREISCH BECOMES THIRD FIGHTING SCOT TO EARN ALL-AMERICAN HONORS AT NCAA DIVISION II TRACK & FIELD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

EDINBORO, PA – For the second day in a row oppressive heat and strong winds made for difficult conditions at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in San Angelo, TX. Also, for the second day in a row, Edinboro University’s contingent of competitors turned in an All-American performance.

Kathy Breisch (Quarkertown, PA/Quakertown) earned All-American honors for the second year in a row in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, finishing sixth with a time of 11:15.35. Head coach Doug Watts noted that considering the heat, it was her best performance of the year. The senior joined teammates Aaron Rowe (Dublin, OH/Dublin Sciota) and Lisa Petsche (Dublin, OH/Dublin Coffman) as an All-American.

The latter duo earned All-American status in the men’s and women’s 10,000 meter runs on Thursday, and now look to duplicate that performance in the 5,000 meters. Both qualified for Saturday’s finals with solid showings in their heats. Rowe, a junior who placed third in the 10,000 meters, posted a time of 15:14.08 to finish fifth in his 5,000 heat. Petsche, a senior who was also third in the women’s 10,000 meters, placed fourth in her 5,000 meter heat with a time of 18:04.31.

“Both could finish anywhere from third to fifth, and should have decent shots at All-American,” noted Watts,” but the heat is doing strange things to some runners.”

Two other Fighting Scots failed to earn All-American status on Friday after qualifying for the finals. Senior Jocelyn Smith (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) fell well back into the pack early in the 3,000 meter run, and despite a strong finish, fell less than three seconds short of All-American status, placing ninth with a time of 10:25.61. Junior Nat Wibberley (Wyomissing, PA/Wyomissing) placed in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 10:09.87.

The Edinboro women’s team is in 11th place in the team standings, while the men’s team is 21st. Western State leads in both the men’s and women’s competition. A total of six Fighting Scots qualified for the championships. The three-day event concludes on Saturday.

~ Fighting Scots ~

Edinboro Athletic Press Release Index

Created on ... May 25, 2002