WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -
Esther Seeland made it look pretty easy on Friday afternoon on Day One of the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Seeland spent just 2:12.28 on the track, winning her preliminary heat in the 800 Meter nearly a second and a half. The two-time National Champion in the outdoor 800 Meter, Seeland set the tone early by winning the first heat of the prelims.
As a result of her victory in the heat, Seeland will advance to the 800 Meter National Championship tomorrow afternoon at 3:50 p.m. She is also scheduled to run in the 3000 Meter at 4:30 p.m. as well.
How It Happened
Seeland hung back through the opening lap, sitting in fifth-place with an opening split of 31.71. She quickly moved up three spots into second place midway through the race, splitting 33.18 on her second lap. From there, Seeland cruised home.
Seeland turned in the quickest third lap in her heat with a time of 35.07 to take over the top spot and then ran the final lap in 32.32, the fastest final lap of not only her heat but all 19 finishers in the event.
Her time of 2:12.28 qualified her for the National Championship tomorrow afternoon at 3:50 p.m.
Seeland turned in the third-fastest qualifying time in the prelims with only Washington University's Emma Kelley (2:11.94) and Bates' Elise Lambert (2:12.09) ahead of her. See below for the full field that will compete for a National Championship in the 800 Meter tomorrow afternoon.
800 Meter National Championship Field
Prelim Time - Name - School
2:11.94 - Emma Kelley - Washington University in St. Louis
2:12.09 - Elise Lambert - Bates
2:12.28 -
Esther Seeland - Messiah
2:13.55 - Elizabeth Donnelly - Gustavus Adolphus
2:13.66 - Delaney Sall - Calvin
2:13.66 - Alessia Sarussi - Washington University in St. Louis
2:12.37 - Anna Schueth - Wisconsin - Eau Claire
2:13.96 - Maeve Hoffman - Wesleyan
What's Up Next
Seeland will now turn her attention to a pair of National Championship events tomorrow afternoon. First up with be the 800 Meter at 3:50 p.m., followed by the 3000 Meter at 4:30 p.m.
