ARCATA — Megan Rolland's collegiate track and field oddysey continues this week when the Humboldt State senior represents the Lumberjacks for the final time at the NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships in Charlotte, N.C.
Rolland will vie for All-America honors and a possible national title in the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase in the meet hosted by Johnson C. Smith University. HSU's school-record holder in the event with a best time of 10 minutes, 29.18 seconds, Rolland comes into the competition with the fourth-fastest time raced this spring nationwide.
"(Rolland) looks good, she feels good, and we've just been working on getting tuned up for racing," HSU head coach Sandy Moran said. "She's getting some rest in, and focusing on racing strategies."
The championships begin Thursday with preliminary races in most events, including the steeplechase. Rolland races in the first of two heats at 7:10 p.m. EST, with hopes of advancing to Saturday's final. The top four finishers from each heat, plus the next four fastest times will challenge for the title in Saturday's race, scheduled for 5 p.m. EST.
Rolland returns to the national championships for the second straight year. At last year's meet she advanced to the final, finishing ninth overall, one spot shy of All-American status.
"Last year, Megan really didn't know how to race," Moran said. "She knows how now, and she's not intimidated. She's gained a lot of confidence this spring from racing against other very good runners."
During the regular season, three other Lumberjacks earned provisional national qualifiers, but none of those athletes' performances listed high enough to make the final cut. Sophomores Austin Huff and Drew Sylvester both achieved provisional marks in the 10,000 meters, while Heather Snyder made the list in both the women's discus and shot put.