Burnett Ends Collegiate Career with Bronze
William Penn Women's Athletics
Marion, Ind.–Katie Burnett (Sr., Mesa, Ariz., Arizona) did not complete her collegiate career exactly how she wanted, but no one can argue with seven All-America awards as she competed at the 2011 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships Friday.
Burnett smashed her own school record, only to watch two other individuals finish ahead of her in the 5,000-meter race walk event. The senior was third in a time of 23:51.83, surpassing her previous mark of 24:34.40, accomplished nearly one month ago.
Burnett had to settle for the bronze with Nicola Evangelista of British Columbia defending her outdoor title at 23:18.91. Lindenwood’s Jessica Ching, the 3,000-meter indoor champion, was runner-up at 23:33.34. All three athletes blew away Evangelista’s NAIA Championships record from 2010.
Burnett’s finish, grouped with her third place in the javelin, moves William Penn into seventh place in the team standings with 12 points.
In other action, Gabriel Green (So., Anniston, Ala., Anniston HS) was unable to advance to the finals in the sport’s fastest race, placing 17th in the 100-meter dash semifinals at 11.19 seconds. He will still have the chance to qualify for the 200 finals on Saturday.
