JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Spring Arbor University freshman Caitlin Clark (Brooklyn, Mich. / Lumen Christi) missed advancing to the finals in the 5000 meter run Thursday at the 2016 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships, held at the David E. Walker Track at Gentry Field.
Clark, who entered the national meet with the sixth-best time among her competitors, placed 15th overall in the preliminary round with a time of 18:43.67.
“I am proud of Caitlin and the work she has put in this season,” said head women’s track and field coach Bryan Burk. “To qualify as a freshman is a huge accomplishment! She has a very bright future ahead of her. Sure she had a tough day today, but knowing her, it’s only going to drive her to do better and better!”
Even though her indoor season has come to a close, Clark achieved something few athletes ever get to experience. The Brooklyn, Michigan native had an outstanding rookie campaign posting some of the top times in program history in the 3000 and 5000. She currently holds the second-fastest time in school history in the 3000 with a 10:22.52 while her 18:07.14 in the 5000 ranks fourth all-time.
Spring Arbor will have two more athletes in action on Friday. Fellow freshman Joshua Smith (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Sterling Heights) will run in the men’s 60 meter hurdles at 1:50 p.m. while sophomore Bethany Kuenzer (Pittsford, Mich. / Pittsford) will compete in the pole vault at 2:30 p.m.