Saturday, June 13, 2009

ETSU star receives All-American honor after sixth-place finish

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (June 13, 2009) - It has been nine years since the ETSU track and field team had a Lady Buccaneer athlete receive All-American honors, but the streak ended on Saturday afternoon at the NCAA Championships inside John McDonnell Field, located on the University of Arkansas campus.

Senior Heidi Dahl (Orem, Utah) ended the drought for the Lady Bucs after her sixth-place finish in the finals of the 1500m propelled her way to All-American honors. The Orem, Utah native had her eyes set on a championship crown in the 1500m, but after running the fastest time in the prelims on Thursday night (4:14.91) the distance runner ran out of gas in the finals and finished in 4:15.03.

Florida State's Susan Kuijken stormed her way to a national championship title by winning the event in 4:13.05.

Dahl, who is now a three-time All-American track athlete (twice at BYU), became the first Lady Buccaneer athlete to receive the accolade since Catherine Berry accomplished the feat in 2000.   

The Atlantic Sun Conference and Mideast Regional champion will now begin preparations for the 2009 USA National Championships. Dahl competes in the first round of the 1500m at the University of Oregon on Thursday, June 25.

For more information on Buccaneer track and field, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.