A week after setting a school record in the 3,000-meter run, Annie Beecham won't join her teammates this weekend in Akron for a follow-up performance.
Instead, she's heading across the country to compete against the top distance runners - ranging from amateurs to Olympians - at the Flotrack Husky Classic hosted at the University of Washington.
Beecham is the Bobcats' sole representative at the meet, which features teams from 12 of the top-25 ranked women's track squads in the nation, including No. 1-ranked Oregon. Beecham will compete in the 5,000-meter run, as opposed to the 3,000-meter, an even that will feature, among others, 2008 Olympian Amy Yoder Begley.
Last outdoor season, Beecham made it to the NCAA Regional Finals. If she hopes to replicate that success indoors this season, she would certainly benefit from a strong showing at Washington's Dempsey Indoor. Last year, 10 of the 17 NCAA Indoor Championship 5,000-meter runners qualified at the Classic.
Things won't be much easier for the 'Cats back in Ohio either. The Akron Invitational will feature four top-20 teams, including No. 9 Auburn, to go along with a slew of Mid-American Conference opponents.
Despite multiple attempts, coach Clay Calkins could not be reached for comment.
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Bart Logan
