LEXINGTON, Ky. - Junior
Smilla Kolbe clocked in a time of 2:02.36 in the women's 800m race to punch her ticket to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday evening.
Kolbe grabbed an at-large bid after finishing with the fifth-best time in the second heat and the 10th overall mark in the quarterfinals of the NCAA East Region First Round. She is one of 12 runners from the East region to qualify for the 800m semifinals and one of four non-Power Five athletes, as the other three reside from Harvard and St. John's.
The Hanover, Germany, native becomes the fourth female Osprey to advance to the NCAA Championship meet and the first since Eden Meyer in 2018. It is also back-to-back seasons sending a UNF runner to the championship meet following Aidan O'Gorman's appearance in the 10,000m final this past year.
PIGG'S POINTS
"Smilla [Kolbe] competed very well today. She is learning to navigate traffic and make good decisions in her races. Her attention to detail and preparation paid off today. I'm proud of her and look forward to fast races in Eugene."
-- head coach Jeff Pigg
UP NEXT
Kolbe will continue her postseason racing in the women's 800m race at the 2024 NCAA D-I Outdoor Track & Field Championships from June 5-8 in Eugene, Oregon.
