Skieresz takes track and field 'Triple Crown'

File Photo Arizona Summer Wildcat UA Sophomore Amy Skieresz competes a cross country race last semester in Tucson. Skieresz won four Division I national titles this year, capturing the corss country title in the fall, the indoor 5,000 meters as well as the the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters last Saturday at the outdoor NCAA Championships.

Crossing the finish line victoriously in the 5,000 meters Saturday at the outdoor NCAA Championships at Bloomington Ind., UA sophomore Amy Skieresz solidified her place in college track and field history.

Skieresz won the 5,000 meters in 15 minutes, 46.76 seconds, beating out her nearest competitor, Stanford's Mary Cobb, by almost 20 seconds.

With her first-place finish, Skieresz became the first female athlete to win the "Triple Crown" in Division I competition. Skieresz won the cross country title in the fall as well as the 5,000 meters at the indoor NCAA Championships.

Skieresz' win also made her the first woman to capture four Division I national titles over the three running seasons in a school year. She earned her third title Friday by winning the 10,000 meters.

"It was the best individual performance I've seen in 30 years of track and field," UA coach Dave Murray said.

Skieresz accounted for 20 of her team's 26 points as the UA women finished seventh in the team competition. Louisiana State University finished with 63 points to take the overall team championship.

In the men's competition the UA finished 23rd, led by Tapio Kolunsarka's third-place finish in the hammer throw.