BRADENTON, Fla. -- May 27, 2016 -- Shelby Bozner of Chadron State College captured gold in the women's heptathlon at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Bradenton, Florida, today. Her point total of 5,428 in the seven-event multi competition was not only a career best, but also topped her own school record.
"I absolutely did not think I'd ever think I'd get this far," admitted Bozner, "but I believe in all the work we've done as a team. I had a lot less pressure that I put on myself here. When I was runner-up at indoors, it was like a dream come true. When I got here, I was able to get along with my competition so well. I think that put me at ease."
On the way to the title, Bozner won both the 100 meter hurdles and the 200 meter dash, where she set a personal best of 24.88 seconds. She also set a new career record in the high jump finishing third with a mark of 1.67 meters, or 5'-05.75". Bozner had a season best shot put throw of 11.34 meters on Thursday, and she clinched the heptathlon victory on Friday with a new personal record of 2:15.12 in the 800 meters, finishing second.
Bozner brings Chadron State track and field its sixth individual NCAA title in program history and its second of the weekend after
Damarcus Simpson picked up a repeat victory in the men's long jump on Thursday. CSC head track and field coach
Brad Gamble is the only other multi-event national title holder in program history, winning the men's indoor heptathlon in 2011.
"Nobody deserves this more than Shelby does," said head track and field coach
Brad Gamble. "I'm extremely proud of her and all of the hard work and sacrifice that she's put in these last four years. She's truly an inspiration."
Teammates
Kelsy Wood of Hemingford, Nebraska, and
Sami Schmit of Cody also qualified for nationals in the heptathlon. Wood finished 12
th to earn Second Team All-America honors, while Schmit tied for 13
th.
Following the conclusion of the heptathlon,
Keri Ruff competed in the women's discus where she finished 15th with a throw of 44.20 meters (145'-00").
Also in action today,
Zerek Jones qualified third in a field of 21 runners in the men's 800 meter run with a time of 1:50.59 in the preliminaries. As a result, he is guaranteed All-American honors and a podium finish after he runs in the final scheduled for 6:55 p.m. ET tomorrow.
The only other competition to watch is Bozner's encore in the women's 400 meter hurdles, which takes place tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET. She qualified second on Thursday in 59.37 seconds.
"I'll go to the beach on Sunday," said Bozner. "Until then, I think I'll catch up on my sleep and get ready to compete in the 400 hurdles on Saturday."
Championship meet results to date:
Women's Events
400 hurdle prelims—2,
Shelby Bozner 59.37.
Discus—15,
Keri Ruff, 44.2m (145'-00").
Long jump—2,
Stachia Reuwsaat, 6.46m (21-2.50"); 22,
Maddy Brashears, 5.36m (17'-7.00");
Heptathlon—1,
Shelby Bozner, 5,428 points; 12,
Kelsy Wood, 4,786 points;T13,
Sami Schmit, 4,764 points.
Men's Events
800 prelims—3,
Zerek Jones, 1:50.59.
Long jump—1,
Damarcus Simpson, 8.04 (26'-4.50").
