June 13, 2003
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The collegiate careers of two of Arizona State's top women's track and field stars came to an end Saturday with Lisa Aguilera finishing fifth in the 3,000m steeplechase and Tiffany Greer capturing seventh in the long jump at the 2003 NCAA Track and Field Championships. Both performances ended in All-America honors for the Sun Devil standouts.
Aguilera, who entered the race as the fastest women in the world this year, jumped to an early lead but could not stay out in front as BYU Kassi Anderson took the title with a meet record 9:44.95. Aguilera crossed the line at 9:55.37 to earn four team points for the Sun Devil women. The most highly decorated female distance runner in ASU history, Aguilera completed her career with eight All-America honors, including two in cross country. Her cross country accolades makes her the only ASU female harrier to earn the national honor twice in a career.
Greer, the Pac-10 conference's only three-time long jump champion on the women's side, leaped 6.34m to take seventh place and earn her fourth outdoor long jump All-America honor. After entering the competition ranked No. 22 in the nation, Greer fought her way into the finals to collect the seventh All-America accolade in her tenure in Tempe and earn two points for her team.
In the semifinals of the women's 400m dash, Cassandra Reed finished eighth in her heat in 53.26 and did not advance to the finals. Her time was 14th overall among the two heats of eight runners. Reed will now join teammates Kandace Tucker, Seneca Holmes and Joni Smith in the 4x400m relay finals Saturday evening. By virtue of making the final race, the quartet will earn All-America honors and score for the Sun Devils in the team standings.
Also, it was learned Friday that senior Fasil Bizuneh, who competed in the 10,000m run one day earlier, earned All-America honors. Bizuneh finished 12th overall in the race and earned the national honor as he was the eighth American runner to cross the finish line.
The NCAA Track and Field Championships conclude Saturday.
2003 NCAA Championships Sacramento, Calif. - Sacramento State University Day 3 Results (ASU ONLY) FIELD EVENTS Women's Long Jump Finals 7. Tiffany Greer 6.34m (20-9.75) Earns All-America honors
RUNNING EVENTS Women's 3,000m Steeplechase Finals 5. Lisa Aguilera 9:55.34 Earns All-America honors
Women's 400m Dash Semifinal 14. Cassandra Reed 53.26 does not advance to finals - 8th in heat