Emma Kertesz Qualifies For NCAA Championship Meet in the 10,000

Jacksonville, FL - Junior Emma Kertesz (Toledo, OH/Central Catholic) finished in 10th place in the 10,000-meter run at the NCAA East Preliminary Championship Meet  in Jacksonville, FL Thursday night, qualifying her for the NCAA Championship Meet in Des Moines, IA on June 7.

The top 12 runners qualified for the nationals. Two of Kertesz's teammates also ran in the 10K but did not make it into the top 12. Senior Ari Fisher (Lebanon, OH) finished in 19th plac (35:11.13), while sophomore Megan Vogelsong (Defiance, OH) came in 29th (36:13.43).  

UT head coach Kevin Hadsell said the hot and humid conditions required Kertesz to run a strategic race. She finished with a time of 34:36.34.

"Emma ran an incredibly smart, incredibly tough race. She stayed in the 5th to 8th range for most of the way, and did what she needed to do, said Hadsell. "The goal in a race like this is not to win but to finish in the top 12 and make it to nationals."

Hadsell also had praise for Fisher and Vogelsong. Fisher has earned All-America honors in cross country and qualified for the the NCAAs in track & field multiple times. This was Vogelsong's first appearance in the NCAA Track & Field Regionals.

"Ari has had a great career. She has been one of the most successful female athletes in UT history," said Hadsell. "And this was a good learning experience for Megan. She is just a sophomore and has a lot of track ahead of her."

Junior Katie Bollin (Temperance, MI) finished in 44th place in the long jump with a top leap of 18 feet, 1 1/2 inches.

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