FLORENCE TAKES THIRD IN REGIONAL STEEPLE

COLLEGE STATION, Texas? Defending NCAA Midwest Region women's steeplechase champion Natalie Florence (pictured) finished third in the event in the second, and final, day of the NCAA Midwest Regional Track and Field Championships here Saturday in a season best 10 minutes, 42.35 seconds. The CU men finished 19th in the meet with 12 points and the women tied for 20th (13).

Florence, who entered the meet with the region's seventh fastest time (10:43.48), trailed Ann Gaffigan (10:30.06) and Iowa's Sarah Arens (10:39.31) in the final results. Kendall Grgas-Wheeler finished seventh in 11:03.68.

In the men's steeplechase, freshman Pete Janson finished a disappointing ninth in 9:26.21, well off his season and pr 9:04.20, entering the weekend's meet.

Despite a personal record throw of 174-6 in the discus, Zach Hazen had to settle for a second place finish in his preliminary heat and a 17th place overall effort in the event.

In the women's high jump, junior Anna Magle finished shy of scoring position and finished 14th with a jump of 5-6 ?, her third best effort of the outdoor season.

Sophomore Brandon Johnson failed to advance to the finals of the men's 400-m hurdles when he finished 7th in his heat and 21st overall in the prelims in a time of 52.90.

Next up for the Buffs is the NCAA Championships, June 9-12 in Austin, Texas.