Jenielle Hunt made sure the NCAA East Regional meet was not the last of her career.
The senior from Pittsburgh qualified for the NCAA Championships this weekend with her performance in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Hunt crossed the line in 12th place at 10 minutes, 31.98 seconds, which sent her on her way to Eugene, Ore., and its hallowed Hayward Track. The time shattered Hunt's previous school record - which she set earlier this year - by almost eight seconds.
I knew that this might be my last race
Hunt said. So I wanted to finish strong and take the record down as much as I could. I want to own it for a while.
Hunt also celebrated her 22nd birthday on Memorial Day, and she said she never would have dreamed of receiving a gift this good.
Coming up on 22 I knew that this might be the end of the road Hunt said. I'm pretty pumped that my birthday (present) will be going to Hayward.
Hunt became the first Bobcat to qualify for the national meet since teammate Bahiyjaui Allen did it in 2008 in the shot put. She is the first Bobcat to qualify in the steeplechase.
Four other seniors, including Allen, made the trip to the regional meet, although none of the other women qualified for nationals.
In the shot put, Allen put forth her second-best toss of the 2010 outdoor season with a distance of 15.30 meters, which put her in 20th place.
Emily Amendola was the other thrower in attendance, and she took 36th in the hammer throw with a mark of 51.72 meters.
Kari Summers and Annie Beecham both competed in the 10,000-meter run. Summers finished 23rd but Beecham did not finish because of the heat.
But Beecham came back two days later and took 19th in the 5,000-meter run.
With the exception of Hunt, the regional meet marked the final competition for the seniors.
Hunt said she has taken away some great experiences in her career.
I feel like I am taking a lot more with me after graduation then just some running medals and T-shirts
Hunt said. Our team really is a family
and I know I'm going to cherish that well beyond my last few weeks in Athens.
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Sports
Mark Emery
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