Magnusson Reaches NCAA Finals In 3,000-Meter Steeplechase

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Magnusson Qualifies For NCAA Finals In 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Freshman Earns Last Transfer Spot In Prelims By .01 Seconds

June 11, 2014

EUGENE, Ore. (SMU) - SMU freshman Tova Magnusson qualified for the finals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Wednesday, posting a personal-best time of 10:07.98. Magnusson earned the last transfer spot into the finals by just .01 seconds, placing 12th in the preliminary round.

SMU Director of Track and Field Dave Wollman was quite impressed with Magnusson's performance at her first-ever NCAA Championship meet.

"I could not be more proud of this young lady," Wollman said. "It was an outstanding effort. Achieving a personal best in the qualifying round of your first NCAA is in the top .01 percent of performances. It's a statistical anomaly."

Magnusson will compete for the national title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Friday evening. A top-eight finish will guarantee the freshman a First Team All-America honor.

SMU's other competitor in Eugene is sophomore Lucija Cvitanovic, who will get started in the heptathlon tomorrow afternoon. Four events (100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200-meter dash) will take place tomorrow, with the last three events occurring on Friday.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Way to go, Tova! Good luck in the final Friday!