Princeton University Athletics
Simmons Places Second in 800m at NCAA Championships
May 31, 2002 | Women's Track and Field
May 31, 2002
Baton Rouge, La. - Lauren Simmons, competing at the 2002 NCAA outdoor track and field championships, placed second in the 800m finals when she crossed the finish line at 2:05.08. Alice Schmidt from North Carolina captured the national championship with a time of 2:04.73, separating herself from Simmons by .35 seconds.
Simmons qualified for the finals with a time of 2:03.87 in the prelims. Simmon's time was the second fastest qualifying time to Georgetown's Tyrona Heath's 2:03.81, who finished fifth in the finals with a time of 2:05.95.
Simmons' 2:03.81 is the third fastest time recorded by a collegiate woman this year and earns her All-America recognition. Simmons shattered the school record of 2:05.23, which she set at the Duke Invitational earlier this year.
Simmons becomes the first Princeton outdoor track All-America selection since Katie Talarico '97 earned All-America status in 1997. Simmons was the first Tiger to compete in the NCAA championships since Nicole Harrison '98 in 1998. Simmons shattered the school record of 2:05.23, which she set at the Duke Invitational earlier this year. Prior to the NCAA championships, Heath had recorded a 2:05.54 in the 800m.
Tora Harris, the favorite entering the men's high jump competition, will compete on Saturday, June 1 at 7:15 p.m.
for complete 2002 NCAA Track and Field Results, please click here