July 1, 2011

EUGENE, Ore. – Former Notre Dame All-America runner Molly Huddle won the women’s 5,000-meter title at the USA Track & Field Championships, which were held June 23-26 at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. In addition to Huddle’s title, former Irish standout Mary Saxer placed fifth in the pole vault.

Huddle, who holds the American women’s record in the 5,000 meters, clocked a time of 15:10.01 to earn her first national title. The victory guarantees her a spot in the IAAF World Championships in South Korea to be held Aug. 27-Sept. 4.

It was Huddle’s second title of the year, as she won the 5,000 meters at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., on April 15. Huddle concluded her Irish career in 2007 with a school-record 10 All-America designations.

Saxer earned a fifth place finish in the pole vault, with a jump of 4.40m (14 feet, 5 1/4 inches). Saxer graduated from Notre Dame in 2009 after earning All-America status on three occasions. As a senior, she placed in the top 10 at both the NCAA Indoor (ninth) and Outdoor (third) championships.

-ND-