St. John's University Athletics
Senior Molly Ellis Books Ticket To NCAA Final
5/24/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
May 24, 2013
GREENSBORO, N.C. - St. John's senior Molly Ellis booked her ticket to the NCAA Final by capturing the last qualifying spot in the 400-meter run at the NCAA East Regional in Greensboro, N.C. on Friday afternoon.
Running in the first of three quarterfinal heats, Ellis broke the line in 52.99 seconds, good for fifth place in her heat and 12th overall, securing her spot at the NCAA Final hosted by the University of Oregon from June 5-8.
The top 12 competitors and relay teams in each event at the East Regional qualify for the NCAA Final, along with the top 12 in each event from the West Regional.
"Molly has run with grit and determination all year and did so again tonight to gain the final spot to the NCAA Finals," said Red Storm head coach Jim Hurt. "Molly and coach Yvonne Harrison have been on a mission to get to historic Haywood Field and the NCAA Finals and her effort tonight fulfilled that mission. We take great pride in all her hard work and accomplishments and look forward to the 4x400 (Saturday) night."
Ellis, who claimed the final qualifying spot by nine hundredths of a second, will attempt to help teammates Trudy-Ann McLean, Shayna Presley and Claire Mooney book their tickets to Eugene when the quartet compete in the quarterfinals of the 4x400-meter relay on Friday. The Red Storm are ranked 14th in the event with a season-best time of 3:36.41.
Ellis, in her senior year, will be making her first appearance at the NCAA Final. The Rockford, Ill.-native holds the second-fastest time in school history with a 52.77 second clocking which captured a bronze medal at this year's BIG EAST Outdoor Championships. In Eugene, Ellis will make a run at St. John's all-time record of 52.63 set by Kaydian Reed in 2006.
Ellis advanced to quarterfinals by running 53.35 for 16th place in Thursday's preliminary round.
Last season, senior high jumper and school record holder Priscilla Frederick represented the Red Storm at the NCAA Final, placing 11th in her fourth-career appearance in Eugene.
Stay up to date with all St. John's track & field news at RedStormSports.com and by following the team on Twitter, @STJ_TRACK_XC.
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