OSU's Thomson Reaches 1,500 Final - Oregon State University Athletics

STANFORD, Calif. - Oregon State’s Holly Thomson qualified for Sunday’s finals in the women’s 1,500 meters as the Pacific-10 Track and Field Championships got underway Saturday at Cobb Track and Angell Field. In Saturday’s preliminaries, Thomson finished 12th with a time of 4 minutes, 34.83 seconds to gain a place in Sunday’s finals.

“Holly Thomson was a real pleasant surprise,” OSU head coach Kelly Sullivan said. “She was seeded 16th in the event and ended up finishing 12th to qualify for the finals.”

Also competing for the Beavers were Lauren Denfeld and Jean-Marie Peterson in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Denfeld finished 12th in 10:49.57 and Peterson was 15th in 11:07.67.

“Lauren ran another regional effort,” Sullivan said, referring to Denfeld having qualified for the NCAA West Regionals earlier in the season. “We were really pleased with her effort. A year ago she ran the steeplechase in 11:06, and this year she has run it 17 seconds faster.”

In the 800 meters, Julie Garcia improved her personal best for the fourth time this season by finishing fifth in her section in 2:14.17.

The Beavers continue running Sunday afternoon with the 5,000 meters, and finish the weekend with Thomson in the 1,500 meter final.

PACIFIC-10 CHAMPIONSHIPS- SATURDAY’S RESULTS

Winners and Oregon State finishers

WOMEN’S 800 METERS (field of 18) – 1. Mackenizie Pierce, California, 2:07.28; 14. Julie Garcia, OSU, 2:14.17.

WOMEN’S 1,500 METERS (field of 20) – 1. Amanda Miller, Washington, 4:32.12; 12. Holly Thomson, OSU, 4:34.83; 18. Sylvia Veal, OSU, 4:48.80.

WOMEN’S 3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE (field of 19) – 1. Sara Trane, Washington St., 10:19.89; 12. Lauren Denfeld, OSU, 10:49.57; 15. Jean-Marie Peterson, OSU, 11:07.67.