EUGENE, Ore. – The Notre Dame track and field program closed out its four-day stay at the NCAA Championships at Hayward Field on Saturday with the final day of women’s competition and Katie Wasserman saved the best performance from the women’s side for last.
Wasserman ran the race of her career in the 5,000m, breaking the Notre Dame program record previously held by Olympian Molly Huddle with a time of 15.28.68 to become the NCAA runner-up in the event. The second-place finish is the best finish from the women’s side at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championship, which gives Wasserman First Team All-America honors.
Teammate Maddy Denner also turned in a PR in the 5,000m race, finishing in 15:49.71 to take 11th and earn Second Team All-America status.
Olivia Markezich started the track portion of competition for the Irish on Saturday with a top-10 finish in the 3,000m steeplechase. The sophomore placed 10th with a time of 9:48.73 to become a Second Team All-American and cap off an impressive season.
Jadin O’Brien also earned Second Team All-America honors on Saturday, completing the second and final day of the heptathlon. The freshman placed 11th overall with 5,545 total points over the seven events. O’Brien’s best event finish of the day was fourth in the 800m with a time of 2:14.69.
O’Brien ends her rookie campaign with All-America honors in both the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon.
Maura Kimmel was the final of three Notre Dame throwers to compete at the meet, as she was in the discus final on Saturday afternoon. Kimmel came away with a 21st place finish from a throw of 52.43m, which earned the grad student All-America Honorable Mention status.
The women’s team totaled four first or second All-America citations on the final Saturday of competition to close out the 2021 season.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS – DAY 4
Eugene, Oregon
Hayward Field
June 12, 2021
WOMEN
3,000m Steeplechase
10 – Olivia Markezich (9:48.73 – Second Team All-American)
5,000m Final
2 – Katie Wasserman (PR: 15:28.68 – ND Record & First Team All-American)
11 – Maddy Denner (PR: 15:49.71 – Second Team All-American)
Discus
21 – Maura Kimmel (52.43m)
Heptathlon Final Score
11 – Jadin O’Brien (5,545 – Second Team All-American)
Long Jump Heptathlon
6 – Jadin O”Brien (5.91m)
Javelin Heptathlon
19 – Jadin O’Brien (33.03m)
800m Heptathlon
4 – Jadin O’Brien (2:14.69)