FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Southern Illinois’ Rachel Anderson qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships after running in the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Anderson’s time of 10:12.02 was good enough for eighth overall, and she comfortably finished eight seconds faster than the final qualifier.

Distance Coach Brian Biekert could not say enough about the way Anderson has run this season and believes she deserves this moment.

“She possesses a lot of the intangibles that make an athlete great,” he said “I’m happy her hard work has paid off. She earned her spot at the championship.”

Although this is a big moment, Biekert knows one more goal remains.

“Though this was a big step in her career up to this point, the story isn’t complete and there’s still more to accomplish,” he said.

Shane Ashton and Nikyan Hodge were the first Salukis to compete in the Regionals, running in the 400-meter hurdles on Wednesday.

Ashton ran 51.47, a time that pushed him to the quarterfinals. He shined in a big way towards the end of the season, something Director of Track and Field Richard Jones took notice of.

“Shane is continuing to grow and knows that it’s a challenge to make it to the national semi-finals,” he said.

Jones was also complimentary of Hodge’s stretch run.

“Nikyan’s race capped off a great freshman campaign and he’s going to be better because of this experience.”

Darius Fuller put up a strong performance during Friday’s triple jump but was unable to advance despite jumping 14.62 meters.

Although they did not advance, Bryson Wilson, Xavier Preston, Marius Coleman and Jeremiah Hamilton set a season-best time of 3:08.02 in the men’s 4×400 relay, a mark that ranks fifth in SIU history.

A full breakdown of the meet can be accessed via Live Results.

UP NEXT
Anderson will be the final Saluki to compete in the 2023-24 season, looking to make national headlines at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 5-8 in Eugene, Oreg.