Weidler finishes strong, earns All-American status

Enterprise staff

Brianna Weidler never thought she’d be an all-American.

But the long-distance runner for the UC Davis track and field team has done just that.

On Saturday night, the Aggie sophomore shined at the NCAA National Championship meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

She took 21st place overall in the women’s 5,000 meters race with a time of 16 minutes, 21.70 seconds.

“I had a different approach at this race because we really didn’t know how the other girls were going to run their race,” said Weidler of this race to the NCAA West Preliminary Round at Sacramento State on May 27. “I was planning on staying behind the top five girls (at Sacramento State).

For nationals, we didn’t know if they were going to play along with the paces or just go out at really fast pace the entire time.

“We had to just trust my instincts at the national race and how I could respond to that one.”

Weidler was running toward a top 20 finish. But taking 21st works for her too.

“Honestly, I was really happy with how the race went,” Weidler said.

“Twenty-first place was just as (good) to me. I was able to finish strong.”

She’s already thinking about future races at a national-level. Other than herself.

“I’m excited to learn from the experience for next year, and to hopefully bring some of my teammates along with me,” Weidler said.

In a season that showcased a school-record performance and three championships, Weidler caps off an epic athletic year. The Aggie won the cross-country individual title, then the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation 3,000m championship and then competing in Saturday’s race. Her accomplishments also earned the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s

See WEIDLER, Page B2