ASHEVILLE, N.C. -
Suzie Johnson qualified for the 1500m final on Wednesday on Day 1 of the NAIA Track and Field Championships in Asheville, N.C., while the rest of the meet was postponed due to thunderstorms.
TMU had several other athletes due to compete on Day 1, including
Brooke Cregan in the 3000m steeplechase prelims and Emmanuel De Leon and
Alyssa Lovett in the 10000m final. Both of those events have been moved to Thursday.
Johnson finished her 1500m in a 4:36.85, getting under the bubble time of 4:39. Johnson closed in a 71-second last 400m to secure the seventh-fastest time in between the two sections and a spot in Friday's final.
"Suzie ran a tough race to qualify for the final and extend her career to one more race," TMU Head Coach Daniel Rush said. "Before, during and after the race, she had a clear focus on Christ that shone through her demeanor and her words. She's ready for a great final on Friday."
The Lady Mustangs' senior captain, who was coming off a pair of strong performances at the GSAC Championships and Franson Last Chance, competed in the second heat, which was the faster of the two.
"I was very grateful for this last opportunity to race as a Mustang," Johnson said. "In this race, I focused on going all the way to the end and I'm grateful to have another couple laps on Friday to finally finish my career out."
After Johnson's 1500m, thunderstorms settled in over Asheville and forced several delays. Eventually, the rest of the meet was suspended. With three TMU athletes yet to run, the 3000m steeplechase prelims and the 10000m finals were postponed to Thursday. Cregan will race at 10:00 a.m. PDT, Lovett will compete at 3:45 p.m., and De Leon will run at 4:35 p.m.
"The rain delays added some excitement and uncertainty to our day," Coach Rush said. "Brooke was on the start line, ready to race when the meet was suspended. But all our athletes showed clear joy in hard circumstances and high levels of adaptability. This shows how ready they are to race well."
Hunter Roy will also race on Thursday in the 800m prelims at 11:50 a.m. PDT.
