University of Tennessee Athletics
Areson, Costello Sizzle In Seattle
February 12, 2011 | Women's Track
Feb. 12, 2011
By Eric Trainer
SEATTLE, Wash. -- UT Director of Track & Field J.J. Clark sent a pair of Lady Vol runners to the Great Northwest in search of NCAA qualifying marks in the 5000 meters. The dynamic duo of seniors Jackie Areson and Liz Costello did not disappoint, scorching the oval late Friday night at the University of Washington's Dempsey Indoor with times that easily dipped below the previous school record and punched the tickets for both of them to the 2011 NCAA Indoor Championship meet.
Areson, who owned the former UT best of 15 minutes, 53.12 seconds, set at last year's NCAA Indoor Championship meet, covered the distance in a remarkable 15:39.81 on UW's oversized oval to hit the finish line first and move to No. 1 on the NCAA Division I Indoor 5K top performers list this season. Areson was second at this meet in 2010, running a then-UT-record 15:53.54 before lowering it slightly at last year's NCAA meet en route to a third-place, All-America finish.
Costello, a transfer from Princeton, wasn't far behind her Big Orange teammate in logging a 15:48.50 readout that also was below Areson's old school best and the national qualifying standard. Her effort left her in fourth place Friday night, placing her just behind her UT teammate, Oregon's Alex Kosinski (15:44.60) and Alissa McKaig of Zap Fitness (15:47.25). That mark positions her third nationally behind Areson and Kosinski.
Vol Michael Spooner also made the trek west. He wasn't as fortunate, checking in 72nd in the 5000m in 14:49.57.
With those latest two efforts by Areson and Costello, Tennessee now has four marks that have met the qualifying criteria for the NCAA Indoor Championship meet. Areson has punched her ticket in both the 5000m and 3000m, ranking No. 2 nationally in the 3K and owning a fourth-place, All-America finish in that event in 2010. In addition to Costello's entrance in the 5000m, Vol Justin Hunter has earned a trip in the long jump. The NCAA meet will be held March 11-12 at the Gilliam Indoor Track & Field Stadium in College Station, Texas.
Speaking of College Station, the rest of the Lady Vol and Vol track & field teams are there right now. Tennessee will take part in the Texas A&M Challenge, presented by Polytan, at noon Central time (1 p.m. ET) on Saturday.
Be sure to check the UT Track & Field Twitter accounts at www.twitter.com/Vol_Track or www.twitter.com/LadyVol_Track, and go to www.utsports.com or www.utladyvols.com for more complete coverage.
