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Thursday, June 9
Eugene, OR
All Day
Rice University
vs
NCAA Championships
Forbes Finishes Runner-Up at NCAA Championships
6/9/2022 6:47:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
Simpson-Sullivan, Gunnarsdottir also earn All-American honors
EUGENE, OR - Rice sophomore distance runner Grace Forbes capped off a night to remember for a trio of Owls by finishing as the runner-up in the 10,000m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships Thursday evening at Heyward Field.
Forbes, from Wallingford, Pa., recorded the fifth All-American performance of her career between track and field and cross country by rallying to earn a spot on the medal stand with a season-best finish of 32:48.07. Only Alabama's Mercy Chelangat (32:37.08) bested Forbes' finish, which earned the Owls eight team points. Her runner-up performance was the first by an Owl at the NCAA Outdoor Championships since Allison Beckford (400m hurdles) and Alice Falaiye (long jump) each placed second in 2001.
Forbes, who finished seventh in the same event at last year's NCAA Championships, finished first or second in all four of her 10,000m races this season and bested her winning time of 33:35 at the NCAA West Prelims.
"Today was all about not giving up," said Forbes. "This year has been the hardest year of my life. From being diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disorder three months ago to adding a lot of extra academic responsibilities due to the beginning of the medical school application process, I have really had a lot on my plate. Three months ago I could barely run 10 miles in a whole week. Now I run that everyday. I just wanted to make Coach Bevan proud because he has stuck with me every step of the way. With two miles to go, I was feeling very tired. But I didn't give up. Just like this last semester, I kept pushing, and it is safe to say hard work pays off. I hope I can carry this momentum into the cross country season and continue to show that Rice is a top competitor at the NCAA D1 level."
Sophomore thrower Tara Simpson-Sullivan achieved her second All-American performance of the year and the third of her career by placing 14th in the hammer throw, registering a throw of 65.86m (216-1) on her first attempt before a pair of fouls. Simpson-Sullivan, who placed fifth at the NCAA West prelims and won the hammer throw crown at the C-USA Championships, also placed 14th at the NCAA Indoor Championships back in March competing in the weight throw.
Junior thrower Erna Gunnarsdottir saved her best throw for last in the shot put, jumping three spots in the standings to secure Second Team All-American accolades with a throw of 16.63m (54-6.75). Gunnarsdottir, who placed 11th in the shot put at the NCAA Indoor Championships, threw 16.44m and 16.53m on her first two attempts. The Iceland native had advanced to the NCAA Championships with a 12th place result at the NCAA West Prelims after winning the C-USA crown.
"I'm very proud of Erna, Tara, and Grace today," Rice head coach Jim Bevan said. "All three are All-Americans and all gained experience and performed very well on the national stage. Grace performed with tremendous courage and heart. Leading the chase back throughout the race and finishing with an outstanding second place finish. She ran the second half of the race in under 16 minutes and gave all she had. Grace has overcome tremendous challenges this year that make me exceptionally proud of her."
Forbes, from Wallingford, Pa., recorded the fifth All-American performance of her career between track and field and cross country by rallying to earn a spot on the medal stand with a season-best finish of 32:48.07. Only Alabama's Mercy Chelangat (32:37.08) bested Forbes' finish, which earned the Owls eight team points. Her runner-up performance was the first by an Owl at the NCAA Outdoor Championships since Allison Beckford (400m hurdles) and Alice Falaiye (long jump) each placed second in 2001.
Forbes, who finished seventh in the same event at last year's NCAA Championships, finished first or second in all four of her 10,000m races this season and bested her winning time of 33:35 at the NCAA West Prelims.
"Today was all about not giving up," said Forbes. "This year has been the hardest year of my life. From being diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disorder three months ago to adding a lot of extra academic responsibilities due to the beginning of the medical school application process, I have really had a lot on my plate. Three months ago I could barely run 10 miles in a whole week. Now I run that everyday. I just wanted to make Coach Bevan proud because he has stuck with me every step of the way. With two miles to go, I was feeling very tired. But I didn't give up. Just like this last semester, I kept pushing, and it is safe to say hard work pays off. I hope I can carry this momentum into the cross country season and continue to show that Rice is a top competitor at the NCAA D1 level."
Sophomore thrower Tara Simpson-Sullivan achieved her second All-American performance of the year and the third of her career by placing 14th in the hammer throw, registering a throw of 65.86m (216-1) on her first attempt before a pair of fouls. Simpson-Sullivan, who placed fifth at the NCAA West prelims and won the hammer throw crown at the C-USA Championships, also placed 14th at the NCAA Indoor Championships back in March competing in the weight throw.
Junior thrower Erna Gunnarsdottir saved her best throw for last in the shot put, jumping three spots in the standings to secure Second Team All-American accolades with a throw of 16.63m (54-6.75). Gunnarsdottir, who placed 11th in the shot put at the NCAA Indoor Championships, threw 16.44m and 16.53m on her first two attempts. The Iceland native had advanced to the NCAA Championships with a 12th place result at the NCAA West Prelims after winning the C-USA crown.
"I'm very proud of Erna, Tara, and Grace today," Rice head coach Jim Bevan said. "All three are All-Americans and all gained experience and performed very well on the national stage. Grace performed with tremendous courage and heart. Leading the chase back throughout the race and finishing with an outstanding second place finish. She ran the second half of the race in under 16 minutes and gave all she had. Grace has overcome tremendous challenges this year that make me exceptionally proud of her."
-RiceOwls.com-
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Throws
/ Women's Track & Field
Throws
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