Wildcats earn NCAA qualifying times in Indianapolis

"We had an absolutely fabulous meet," head coach Dave Murray said.

Senior Abdi Abdirahman earned an NCAA qualifying mark in the men's 5,000-meters, finishing second with a time of 13 minutes, 53.34 seconds. Abdirahman was the top collegiate finisher in the race, placing second to Adidas-sponsored runner Todd Williams by only two seconds.

Sophomore Carolyn Jackson won the women's 400m with a time of 53.58 seconds, finishing second and scoring an NCAA provisional qualifying mark.

Sophomore Patrick Nduwimana broke the UA indoor record in the 800m with a time of 1:47.01. This time netted Nduwimana a second place finish, as well as, an NCAA qualifying mark.

Freshman Tara Chaplin placed third in the women's 5,000m with a time of 16:16.06, which was also an NCAA qualifying mark. The race winner, Leigh Daniel of Texas Tech, only edged out Chaplin by less than a second.

"The Indianapolis meet was definitely the highlight of the weekend with all our athletes running very well," Murray said.

The full Wildcat squad will resume competition in Flagstaff at a tri-meet against host Northern Arizona and Arizona State this Saturday.

Brian Wahlund can be reached at Briwn.Wahlund@wildcat.arizoan.edu.