GENEVA, OHIO – Brandeis University senior Emily Bryson (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) advanced to the finals in the 1,500-meter run today at the 2019 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio.
The top seed in the 1,500 headed into the meet, Bryson won her heat in the event with a time of 4:38.81. Needing to be one of the top four finishers in her heat, or one of the next four best times, Bryson left little doubt as to whether she would reach the finals. She was among the top four in each of the three-plus laps, saving her traditional kick for the finals. Bryson edged Abigail Nadler of Middlebury by 0.03 to win the race. Bryson's time was eighth-fastest in qualifying, with the top seven coming from the second heat. Seven of the 12 finalists will be from the New England region. Saturday's final will be held at 12:25 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
Also today, rookie Jac Guerra (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) competed in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase prelims. A three-time NCAA qualifier already as a rookie, Guerra posted a time of 12:10.87 to finish in 21st place. Guerra was one of only three freshmen in the field.
Earlier in the day, senior Scott Grote (Greenfield, Mass./Greenfield) concluded his track and field career with the Judges today by finishing 13th in the discus throw. Grote's best throw was 47.00 meters (154 feet, two inches), coming on his second of three attempts. He missed a trip to the finals by five feet, placing sixth in his flight. Grote entered the meet as the 19th seed, improving by six places. He was Brandeis's first discus competitor at nationals since Hall of Famer Greg Steelman '90 went more than 30 years ago.
Senior Doyin Ogundiran (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East) will compete in the women's 800-meter prelims Friday at 4 p.m.
