Willis fourth at NCAA finish

AUSTIN, Texas In his first NCAA outdoor track and field championships Roisin Willis matched the highest result by a Stanford freshman in the 800 meters, finishing fourth in a season-best time.

Willis ran 2:00.91 to jump to No. 3 on Stanford’s all-time outdoor record. She also earned her third first-team All-America honor when she went with two in the 800 and distance medley relays during the indoor season, winning titles in each.

Willis and LSU’s Michaela Rose made it a two-man race from the start, with Willis a step behind until Rose extended her lead slightly on the backstretch of the final lap. Willis tried to close the gap, but the attempt left him vulnerable as the other two made their way to the front door.

The 800 has traditionally been a strong event for Stanford women, and Regina Jacobs, a multiple U.S. champion as a professional, began that legacy by finishing fourth in the event at the 1982 NCAA Championships. Willis becomes Stanford’s tallest freshman after them.

Lucy Jenks. Photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport.

Stanford’s final competitor in the four-day meet was a junior Lucy Jenks in 5000. Jenks achieved his highest national result, finishing 14th with a time of 16.08.16.

By eight points by Alyssa Jones runner-up finish in the long jump Thursday, and Willis’ five in the 800 gave Stanford a 13-point finish. That put the Cardinal in a tie with Vanderbilt for 20th.
The men’s race ended on Friday with the Stanford men winning the 5000 and 10000. Ky Robinson and 200 profit Udido Onwuzurike — third with 44 points.

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NCAA Outdoor Championships
at Mike A. Myers Stadium
Saturday’s results

Ladies

Team leaders (final) 1, Texas 83; 2, Florida 51; 3, Arkansas 46; 4, Oregon 44; 5, Texas A&M 36; 20, Stanford 13.
800 1, Michaela Rose (LSU) 1:59.83; 4, Roisin Willis (Stanford) 2:00.91 (No. 3 Stanford AT).
5,000 1, Parker Valby (Florida) 15:30.57; 14, Lucy Jenks (Stanford) 16:08.16.

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Stanford All-Americans
gentlemen
First team: Charles Hicks (5,000, 10,000), Udido Onwuzurike (100, 200), Ky Robinson (5,000, 10,000).

Ladies
First team: Alyssa Jones (long jump), Roisin Willis (800).
Second team: Lucy Jenks (5,000), Alyssa Jones (4×100), Alexa Rossum (4×100, 4×400), Maya Valmon (4×100, 4×400), Juliette Whittaker (4×400), Cydney Wright (4×100, 4×400).