Appleton Advances to NCAA 1500-Meter Final
AUSTIN, Texas – Margot Appleton opened competition for the Virginia women’s track and field program at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships Thursday (June 8) as the ACC Champion booked her place in the NCAA final on Saturday.
Appleton entered a loaded heat of the 1500 meters as bringing the nation’s eighth-best time with her. After battling through a physical race early on, Appleton surged to the front of the pack with just over 200 meters to go. Appleton finished third to secure automatic qualification while running a blazing 4:09.83.
- Appleton reaches an NCAA Final for the second time in her career after placing fourth in the mile at the NCAA Indoor Championships
- A breakout season continues for Appleton after winning her first ACC title in the 1500 earlier this season
- Appleton has the opportunity to become the second-ever Cavalier to win an NCAA women’s title and the first to win the 1500-meter title
- The final will be contested Saturday (June 10) at 8:12 p.m. Central Time (9:12 p.m. ET)
🎙️ Checking in with Margot Appleton after qualifying for the NCAA 1500m final #GoHoos⚔️ pic.twitter.com/DSSewioW71
— Virginia Track & Field and Cross Country (@UVATFCC) June 9, 2023
In the women’s 10,000 meters, Sophie Atkinson placed 18th running a time of 34:51.58. The sophomore made her first appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in her home state of Texas after qualifying at the NCAA East Regional with a personal-best as the 40th seed in the east region.
Up Next:
The NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships continue tomorrow (June 8) as the women’s competition begins. Margot Appleton (1500m) and Sophie Atkinson (10,000m) are both scheduled to compete.