Eriksen, Woolnough Punch Ticket to Hayward Field for NCAA Championships

FAYETEVILLE, Ark. – Josefine Eriksen and Cara Woolnough of the Utah track & field team both earned a spot in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships (June 9 & 11) on Saturday inside John McDonald Field to close out the weekend at regionals.
 
This marks the first time since 2012 that the Women of Utah have sent multiple individuals to the championships meet. The last duo to compete at nationals was Brianna LeRoy (high jump) and Amanda Mergaert (1500m). LeRoy finished 22nd overall that year while Mergaert was just shy of moving onto the finals.
 
Eriksen earned her automatic spot to compete at the reimagined Hayward Field after taking second in her heat and third overall with a school record run of 2:02.49 – breaking Rosalie Waller's record of 2:03.27 from 2014.
 
Woolnough then punched Utah's second ticket when she took second in the 5000m run with a mark of 15:50.80 and made it a 1-2 finish for the Conference of Champions in overall standings.
 
Simone Plourde was the first Ute to take the track Saturday evening. The sophomore went out and posted a 1500m time of 4:23.41 – which was just three second off from a qualifying time to see her season come to an end.
 
Skyler Blair's season also came to an end in the quarterfinals of the 400m hurdles after running a time of 59.77. Utah's 4x400m relay team of Lauren O'Banion, Jasie York, Oneillia Fuller and Eriksen closed out the weekend combining for a 3:43.14 finish.
 
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
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