FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5-18-00

Mackie, Garland Qualify For NCAA Division II Outdoor Track Championships

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Junior Nikki Garland and freshman Rebekah Mackie have been selected to compete at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 25-27 in Raleigh, N.C., on the campus of North Carolina State University.

Garland, an NCAA Division II Outdoor Track All-America honoree in the 800 meters last year for the Pirates, will run in two events at the national championships – the 800 meter run and the 1,500 meter run. Garland's qualifying time of 2:10.87 was the fifth-fastest mark in the 800 meters among qualifiers and her 4:37.82 time was the 11^th-best mark in the 1,500 meters.

Mackie will compete in the 5,000 meters, where her qualifying time of 17:12.30 was the seventh-fastest time run this season.

On Thursday, May 25, Garland will compete in a 1,500 meter trial at 7:15 p.m. On Friday, May 26, Garland will run in a trial heat of the 800 meters at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27, Garland will compete in the finals of the 1,500 meters at 6:20 p.m. and the finals of the 1,500 meters at 7:40 p.m. Mackie will compete in the 5,000 meter run on Saturday, May 27 at 8:40 p.m.

Garland became AASU's first track and field All-America last year, finishing seventh in the 800 meters with a time of 2:11.56.

- Pirates -