Callaway finishes strong at NCAA Championships

MARIETTA, Ohio - Michele Callaway ran a 19:09.70 in the 5000m on Saturday, May 23, at the NCAA Division III Championships at Marietta College to place 17th in her final event of her impressive freshman campaign.

Callaway was an NCAA qualifier earlier this year for cross country and duplicated her efforts in the 5000m. She qualified with a 17:16.05 at the Occidental Invitational on May 9.

The 2009 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champion in the 5000m was an all-conference selection in 1500m and 5000m and she hit the NCAA provisional mark in the 1500m race.

The track at Don Drumm Stadium ran slower for all competitors. Although a new course record was set by the newly crowned National Champion Ayla Mitchell (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) her winning of time of 17:14.52 was 12 seconds behind her person-best for the season.

The previous Don Drumm Track record was 17:45.05 set in 2006.

Callaway's freshman resume included two NCAA appearances, a new school record in the 1500m, All-West Region honors in cross country, All-Academic honors in cross country, all-conference honors in cross country, the 1500m and thee 5000m and a SCIAC Championships in the 5000m.

She was also named the 2009 Female Individual Athlete of the Year by Whittier College and the Purple & Gold Club at the Annual All-Sports Awards Banquet.

Also see:
Complete 5000m Results