The indoor season was rough for the women's track team because, in the end, nobody qualified for the NCAAs. Three Lady Lions had provisionally qualified, but none made the final cut.

Their goal for the outdoor season was to come out early and qualify with strong times. The Lady Lions were able to capitalize by provisionally qualifying four competitors at the Raleigh Relays for the NCAA Championships in Boise, Idaho.

In their first outdoor meet of the spring season, Kim Kelly (34:35.1), Kelli Hunt (34:36.2) and Kris Kelly (34:37.8) overcame the minimum time necessary to go to nationals in the 10,000, while Dayna Holston placed second overall in the javelin with a throw of 152.9 feet.

With only two automatic qualifiers in the nation, the 10,000-meter runners look to strengthen their times so they won't be stuck in the same predicament as they were for the indoor nationals.

"They're gonna try to get that done in the next few meets," Coach Teri Jordan said. "They don't like sitting around -- they want to get it out of the way."

Competing in warm weather can do a lot for a team. Compared to the dreary, snow-covered environment of State College, Raleigh was a breath of fresh air to the women's track and field team.

"I was excited and nervous because we haven't been outside yet because of the snow here," the Washington native said. "I think everyone took advantage of the nice weather."

Kristie Moser finished first in the 3,000 meter with a time of 10:08.34. Tara Riccouto and Lisa Dorsheimer finished fifth and ninth, respectively, in the unseeded section.

As in most sports, not everybody competed to their maximum ability. Jordan thought for the most part that everybody did very well.

"Some individuals probably could have done better," Jordan said. "In the majority of the performances, everybody put out everything that they had. If people didn't (perform to their capabilities), they learned from it."