WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Brandeis University senior Erin Magill (Moretown, Vt./Harwood Union) earned her second career All-America honor today, finishing in sixth place in the 5,000-meter run at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
"Erin ran really a smart race," said Brandeis head coach Sinead Evans. "She moved through the field early, then settled for a while. With 1,200 meters to go, she chased for fifth place. It was extremely smart championship racing. She should be proud of her performance today and all season long."
Magill broke the 17-minute mark for the first time in her career, finishing with a time of 16:54.62. She started the race towards the back of a second set of chasers of the eventual champion, Kassie Parker of Wartburg College. Sitting in 11th place after eight laps, Magill and a group of three other runners broke away, sitting behind a group close on Parker's heels but pulling away from the rest of the field. Magill ran steadily through with that pack, putting together a series of 41- and 42-second laps.
As she made her move into seventh and eventually sixth place, Magill closed strong, finishing with laps of 39, 38 and 36 seconds – her three fastest laps of the race - to finish off her kick just shy of fifth place by 0.29 seconds.
With the three points scored by Magill, the Judges are in a tie for 15th place in the team standings at the end of Day One of the NCAA Championships. Brandeis does not have any competitors on Day 2 tomorrow.
