SPOKANE, Wash. - Tiffany Dinh turned in a tremendous performance Saturday at the NCAA Division II West Region Championships, recording a 21:42 time that grants her a spot at the national race to be held on Nov. 19.
The Broncos as a team totaled 171 points, just seven out of fourth place. Alaska Fairbanks claimed that spot to join first-place Alaska Anchorage, second-place Chico State and third-place Western Washington as the squads qualifying for the upcoming D-II National Championships.
Dinh proved herself as one of the top two individual performers not on a qualifying team, giving her a return trip to nationals and All-West Region honors at the same time. Through the 6,000-meter course Saturday, the Norwalk, Calif., native averaged a 5:49.1 pace.
After advancing to the 2010 NCAA D-II National Championships, the Broncos narrowly fell short in this 2011 season. Following Dinh in second place for CPP was senior
Diana Zapata, who placed 32nd with a time of 22:35.
Jazmine Reyes came next for the Broncos, not far behind Zapata at 36th while posting a 22:41 mark.
"Overall the team performance was a bit disappointing," Broncos' head coach Troy Johnson said, "but I'm very proud of Tiffany and what she accomplished today, by earning a spot at nationals as an individual qualifier. She will definitely represent the program and Cal Poly Pomona well on the national stage."
The close 2-3-4 pack for CPP was concluded by freshman
Lizette Huerta, who crossed the line in 22:52 to place 40th overall.
Closing out the scoring for the Broncos on Saturday in Spokane was
Sarah Gulli, the 2010 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Freshman of the Year. Gulli finished with a 23:18 mark to place 61st.
Ruth Keino finished first overall to lead UAA to its third consecutive women's team title at the NCAA D-II West Region championships. The Seawolves, who are unbeaten this fall, finished with a team score of 27 posting the lowest women's team score since 1998 when UC Davis won the West Region title with a score of 29. The Wildcats of CSUC, out of the same conference as the Broncos, placed second for the third year in a row with 66 team points.
Representing CPP, Dinh will return to the same Plantes Ferry Sports Complex course in Spokane on Saturday, Nov. 19, to race against the nation's best for the NCAA Division II level.
