Varsell Earns 4th All-America Award with 5th-Place Finish in NCAAs
PUEBLO, Colo. – For the fourth time in her career, Bentley University junior Amy Varsell (Burlington, Conn./Lewis S. Mills HS) has earned Division II All-America honors.
The latest came Saturday night when the Falcon athletic and academic standout finished fifth in the 800 meters at the 2012 NCAA Division II Women's Track and Field Championships at the Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl on the campus of Colorado State University-Pueblo.
In windy conditions, Varsell finished in 2:12.70, just getting nosed out for fourth place by Ayesha Rumble of Abilene Christian (2:12.65). Lexi Williams of Minnesota-Duluth captured the championship in 2:11.46 and Jaylen Rodgers of Angelo State followed her across the finish line, in 2:11.60.
It looked like Grand Valley State's Chanelle Caldwell was going to run away with the race as she opened a commanding lead and the rest of the field appeared to be in a battle for second. However, Caldwell tailed off significantly and finished a distant eighth in the nine-time field.
Varsell ran second or third for most of the race and entered the stretch run in contention for the championship.
Varsell previously finished third in the 2012 indoor 800 and fourth in both the indoor and outdoor 800 in 2011.
NCAA Division II Championships
Colorado State - Pueblo
Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl - 5/24/2012 to 5/26/2012
Event 4 Women 800 Meter Run
Meet Record: * 2:02.48 5/26/1990 Teena Colebrook, Cal Poly SLO
Name Year School Finals Points
Finals
1 Lexi Williams SR Minnesota-Duluth 2:11.46 10
2 Jaylen Rodgers FR Angelo State 2:11.60 8
3 Melissa Agnew JR U-Mary 2:12.24 6
4 Ayesha Rumble JR Abilene Christian 2:12.65 5
5 Amy Varsell JR Bentley 2:12.70 4
6 Alycia Wright SR Saginaw Valley 2:13.69 3
7 Twishana Williams JR Lincoln (Mo.) 2:15.03 2
8 Chanelle Caldwell SR Grand Valley St. 2:17.89 1
9 Amanda Putt JR Hillsdale 2:23.75