Willer, Carrizales Named Academic All-District

Lincoln ? Two University of Nebraska women’s track and field athletes were honored Thursday, as Rachel Carrizales and Natalie Willer were each named second-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII. Both Huskers will be competing next weekend at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.

 

As a sophomore, Willer has been one of the top vaulters in the nation, breaking the NU and American Junior records with a vault of 14-4 1/2 at the Concordia Twilight on Friday, May 8. The Elkhorn, Neb., native will enter the national meet ranked No. 2 in the country, trailing Arkansas’ Katie Stripling, who has vaulted 14-5 1/4. Along with winning the Big 12 indoor and outdoor pole vault titles, Willer holds a 3.98 GPA in biological sciences.

 

A senior from Morrill, Neb., Carrizales carries a 3.78 GPA in elementary education. She will enter the meet next week ranked 12th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, posting a personal-best time of 10:09.77 at Stanford Invitational. Her time ranks No. 2 all-time at NU, trailing Ann Gaffigan’s 2004 time of 9:39.35.