(PUEBLO, Colo.)
Maddie Reeves represented Point Loma well at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday night, placing 13th in the 10,000 meters.
"Maddie has demonstrated such impressive growth this year in her first National Championship this evening, but more so for how much she's accomplished throughout this entire season," Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Jake Poyner said.
Reeves crossed the finish line in a time of 36:33.15 in just her second ever 10K for the Sea Lions.
The PLNU junior ran admirably at nearly 5,000 feet of elevation, sitting in ninth through 13th place throughout the entirety of the race.
After finishing the first lap in 10th position, she moved up to as high as ninth after 1200, 2800 and 3200 meters.
From there, she dropped no lower than 13th place, a spot in which she held for the final 4,000 meters.
"Racing the 10,000 meters in only your second attempt at 4,700 feet requires some serious grit and resolve, and she fought until the very end of that 25-lap experience," Poyner said.
Reeves entered the race with the 10th best qualifying time (34:28.75) among the 22 runners. That time, run at the Stanford Invitational on April 4, set a new PLNU program record.
Thursday night's race concludes an incredible year by Reeves, who also broke Point Loma's 5,000 meter record this track & field season.
"Her courage and determination to attack every race, including this one, is exactly the sort of fighting spirit this program seeks to exemplify on our United Pursuit," Poyner said. "In large part, that spirit and spunk has been the driving force behind her awesome growth this year.
"She represented Point Loma Nazarene with class and character and helped close out an exciting season for all of Sea Lion Track & Field. We could not be prouder of her."
POST-RACE INTERIVEW
