June 10, 2011

University of Montana sophomore Lindsey Hall finished 22nd in the heptathlon Friday evening at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Des Moines, Iowa, to conclude the Grizzlies' efforts at the four-day meet that concludes Saturday.

Hall started the day in 22nd place and was unable to move up in the standings despite having the day's fourth-best javelin throw of 133-10, her third-best mark of the season. She finished the meet with a score of 4,999.

Hall opened the day with a long jump of 16-10.75 and ended with a 2:25.39 in the 800 meters. Her long jump ranked 21st, and her 800 time ranked sixth in heat one and 14th overall.

"It didn't go the way we thought it could, but this was still a positive experience for Lindsey," UM track and field program director Brian Schweyen said.

"If you can get here early in your career like Lindsey did, it's just an irreplaceable experience.

"She'll take a lot out of this. It will give her a lot to learn from as she moves forward."

Kansas State junior Ryann Krais won the heptathlon with a score of 5,961.

Kent State junior Diana Dumitrescu finished eighth with 5,363 points to claim the final All-America spot. Hall scored 5,360 points last month while winning the Big Sky Conference championship.

Hall, senior Kara DeWalt and junior Katrina Drennen all competed this week at the championships for the Grizzlies.

DeWalt and Drennen competed Thursday in the steeplechase and 1,500 meters but failed to advance to Saturday's final.

"Let's not forget that only 24 athletes in the nation make it here in each event, and we had three competing. That should be a big boost for our program," Schweyen added.

The championships conclude the 2011 collegiate outdoor season, though Drennen and DeWalt are both expected to compete in two weeks at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Eugene, Ore.

Drennen and DeWalt both met the A standard in their events to qualify for the meet.