EUGENE, Ore. – Sophomore Alethia Marrero posted a fifth place finish in the 800 meter run with a 2:03.86 finish on the track at historic Hayward Field at the NCAA Championships on Saturday. She becomes the Sycamores' second First Team All-American this season and first in the outdoor 800 meter run in program history.
Her fifth place finish gave the Sycamore women four team points to go along with junior Kimyanna Rudolph's one point (pole vault) for five total towards total team scoring which came in 42nd in the nation.
“What a great race for Alethia,” Indiana State women's head coach Angie Martin said. “She ran a perfect tangent to cut in and went to the perfect spot because she knew it was a quick pace. She had a great kick to finish fifth and I am so impressed with how far she has come in this race this season.”
It capped off an impressive outdoor season for the sophomore from Indianapolis, Ind. who ran the 800 meter race just two times before the postseason. She shattered the school and Missouri Valley Conference record in the event at the NCAA East Preliminary when she ran a 2:02.67.
In addition, Marrero picked up a win at the Husker Spring Invite and was the runner up at the Drake Relays. From the beginning of the 2015 outdoor season, Marrero has shaved nearly seven seconds of her 800 meter time.
Marrero also qualified for the 800 meter at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March, where she finished 16th overall (2:10.80).
In what was nearly a record breaking event, Oregon freshman Raevyn Rogers blazed to a win with a 1:59.71. Stanford's Claudia Saunders (2:00.63) was second, Virginia Tech's Hanna Green was third (2:01.17) and Chrishuna Williams of Arkansas was fourth (2:01.67).
Marrero joins junior Kimyanna Rudolph as First Team All-Americans with their top eight finishes. Junior Katie Wise (100 meter) and sophomore David Timlin (1,500 meter) took home with Second Team All-American honors.
For the latest information on the Sycamore Track and Field team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.
