By Steve Maslowsky
COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER | sjm5131@psu.edu
The No. 14 Penn State women's track and field team will make its final push for nationals this weekend.
Two runners will travel to Notre Dame University to participate in the aptly named Last Chance Meet this Saturday, March 3 in an attempt to push themselves into a spot in the NCAA national championships March 9-10.
Brienne Simmons and Bridget Franek will be the only runners making the trip. Typically, the top 15-to-18 times will qualify for nationals. Currently 17th in the country in the 800 meters, Simmons will try to lock up a spot while Franek, at 27th in the mile, will try to vault herself into contention.
Head coach Beth Alford-Sullivan said that Notre Dame's large 300-meter track and the high level of competition will help Simmons and Franek this weekend.
"It [the Notre Dame track] tends to run very fast indoors," she said. "And you put a lot of the great athletes against each other and people run fast. It's a real good shot of both of them getting it done."
Four-time All-American Shana Cox has already hit the automatic qualifying time in the 400 meters this season, and is therefore assured of a spot in nationals regardless of what happens this weekend. However, Penn State has a number of athletes who are in contention for, but not assured of, a chance to compete at nationals.
National contenders staying behind this weekend will be the 4 x 400 meter relay team, the distance medley relay team, pentathlete Gayle Hunter and hurdler Aleesha Barber. While Hunter and the relays are both in the top ten in their respective events, Alford-Sullivan is apprehensive about Barber's chances, as she is currently 15th in the 60 meter hurdles.
"I'm crossing my fingers that nobody runs faster," Alford-Sullivan said.
Though only two athletes are competing, this weekend is a crucial one for Penn State, as they hope to redeem themselves at nationals after a disappointing fourth-place finish at last week's Big Ten championships. In order to do that, Penn State will need every chance they can get to collect points at nationals, and aim for a best-ever top-10 finish.
"I think if we finish in the top 15, I would be very pleased with our performances at nationals," she said. "However, I want to shoot for a top 10 finish. We're going to go in there aiming for top 10 and settling for top 15."
