Men's team competes at ISU Qualifier

AMES, Iowa - Senior Sarah Hammel (Dorchester, Iowa/Waukon) became the fourth Simpson student-athlete to provisionally qualify for the 2010 NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships with her effort in the 800-meter run at the Iowa State NCAA Qualifier Saturday at Lied Recreational Center.

The final meet before the NCAA Championships March 12-13 in Greencastle, Ind., Simpson student-athletes looked to reach or better their qualifying marks while racing against top-flight competition.

Hammel - who qualified for nationals in the 800 a year ago - ran a new personal best time of 2:14.92 in the event. That time translates to a 2:15.62 on a regulation, 200-meter track, which meets the NCAA provisional qualifying standard. Hammel's time ranks 21st in the nation, behind teammate Catie Ellingson's 13th best time of 2:14.84 set earlier in the year.

Having already reached provisional status in both the 800 and the mile, Ellingson (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) set out to improve her standing in the mile - which she did. Entering the day with the 29th fastest time in the nation, Ellingson moved up to 17th with a 4:57.37. That time converts to a 4:59.17.

Also competing for the women's team were Lauren Bucklin (Bondurant, Iowa/Bondurant-Farrar) and Kinsey Bak (Hinton, Iowa/Hinton). Bucklin placed 10th in the 60-meter hurdles (9.13) and Bak took third in the high jump (5-4 1/4).

On the men's side, Kyle Yarkosky (Albia, Iowa/Albia) placed 16th in the 400 (50.61), Matt Stone (Boone, Iowa/Boone) took 26th in the 800 (1:56.86), Ben Duea (Urbandale, Iowa/Waukee) placed 34th in the 800 (2:02.81), Marty Rounds (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Jefferson) placed 17th in the 60-meter hurdles (8.41), Scott Danielson (Dayton, Iowa/SE Webster-Grand) placed eighth in the shot put (48-3 1/4), John Wardenburg (Williamsburg, Iowa/Williamsburg) placed ninth in the shot put (46-4) and Jarrod Schott (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas) placed eighth in the long jump (21-4 1/4).

Besides Hammel and Ellingson, Lauren Bucklin (55-meter hurdles) and Kinsey Bak (Pentathlon, High Jump) have provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships.

The Championship field will be finalized Monday.