EMMA BATES, BOISE STATE
Bates entered the NCAA West Preliminary Round thinking her best hope for a nationals berth was in the 10,000 meters. Two days after falling short in that race, the redshirt freshman set a school record with a time of 16:16.74 in the 5,000 to advance.
“It was one of the most exciting races I’ve seen in a while,” Boise State coach J.W. Hardy said.
Bates also won the Mountain West title in the 3,000 during the indoor season and the conference 5,000 title during the outdoor season.
She’s ranked 16th in the nation in the 5,000. The race is Saturday.
“It feels great,” Bates said of reaching the NCAA meet. “I don’t want to say a dream come true, but it’s definitely close.”
Bates is from Elk River, Minn.
MIKE MARSHALL, IDAHO
The junior finished 12th in the men’s javelin at the preliminary meet to advance. He threw 222 feet, 11 inches. Marshall is a former walk-on from Yakima, Wash.
He finished fourth in the WAC in the javelin in 2011, his debut season with the Vandals. He won the javelin this year, helping the Vandals take the team title.
The NCAA javelin is Thursday.
“It’s amazing to see what he’s done this year,” Idaho coach Julie Taylor said.
