Wednesday, May 22
Fayetteville, AR
All Day
Saint Mary's College of California
at
NCAA Prelims
Photo by: SMC Athletics / Piper Westrom
TRK | Stanziano and Dreher Qualify for NCAA Prelims
5/16/2024 10:07:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - For the first time in the Women's Track and Field program history, the Gaels have multiple qualifiers in the same year and are in their fifth NCAA appearance over the past four years.
This year's female athlete of the year for Saint Mary's and Co-Captain of the Women's Track and Field team, Rayna Stanziano is a three time NCAA qualifier. She will be competing in the 1500 meter event, and is currently ranked 26th in the west. Two years ago, Stanziano qualified out of the preliminary round into the quarterfinal. This year she is looking to make the next step to the championship final in Eugene, Oregon.
Senior Molly Dreher, has greatly improved during her time at SMC and qualified as the 45th out of 48 declared athletes for the 1500 meter event. Co-Captain Dreher will be competing in her first ever NCAA championship race.
The pair is set to compete in the preliminary rounds next week starting Thursday evening for a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals on Sunday.
Head Coach Marty Kinsey said, "I saw a lot of potential in Molly and recruited her to the best of my abilities to St. Mary's. She had only run a 5:14 1600 in high school, but I knew there was extreme potential with her. She is a gifted student, and one of the hardest workers we've ever had. For her to turn that 5:14 1600 into an NCAA qualifying mark her senior year is astounding. Rayna is also equally showing impressive durability. This is her third time qualifying for the NCAA championships. I couldn't be more proud of how hard these two women have worked and helped elevate our program. Fayetteville will be a fun trip, experience, and a great way to represent St. Mary's at the NCAA level.."
#GaelsRise
This year's female athlete of the year for Saint Mary's and Co-Captain of the Women's Track and Field team, Rayna Stanziano is a three time NCAA qualifier. She will be competing in the 1500 meter event, and is currently ranked 26th in the west. Two years ago, Stanziano qualified out of the preliminary round into the quarterfinal. This year she is looking to make the next step to the championship final in Eugene, Oregon.
Senior Molly Dreher, has greatly improved during her time at SMC and qualified as the 45th out of 48 declared athletes for the 1500 meter event. Co-Captain Dreher will be competing in her first ever NCAA championship race.
The pair is set to compete in the preliminary rounds next week starting Thursday evening for a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals on Sunday.
Head Coach Marty Kinsey said, "I saw a lot of potential in Molly and recruited her to the best of my abilities to St. Mary's. She had only run a 5:14 1600 in high school, but I knew there was extreme potential with her. She is a gifted student, and one of the hardest workers we've ever had. For her to turn that 5:14 1600 into an NCAA qualifying mark her senior year is astounding. Rayna is also equally showing impressive durability. This is her third time qualifying for the NCAA championships. I couldn't be more proud of how hard these two women have worked and helped elevate our program. Fayetteville will be a fun trip, experience, and a great way to represent St. Mary's at the NCAA level.."
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Track and Field
/ Men's Track and Field
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