Cazzola Breaks All-Time NCAA Division III Record
Christy Cazzola (Sr. • Kaukauna) ran the fastest 5,000-meter time in NCAA Division III history at the Grand Valley State Early Bird indoor track meet on Friday (Nov. 30) in Allendale, Mich.
Cazzola finished the race in 16:21 to easily defeat the other 25 women in the field. That time bettered the previous record of 16:32 by Carter Hamill (Amherst) during 2004. The UW-Oshkosh standard had been a 16:53 by Laura Horejs from 1992.
For official record purposes, Cazzola's time will be converted to 16:29.05 because it was run on a 300-meter track.
Competing against some of the top runners in the NCAA Division II, Cazzola pulled away from second-place finisher Allyson Winchester of Grand Valley State (16:49). Anna Rudd (Ferris State) came in third place at 16:51, while Jessica Watychowicz (UW-Parkside) listed fourth at 16:59 and Lauren Hill (Saginaw Valley) fifth at 17:01.
Less than two weeks ago, Cazzola won the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship with a 6,000-meter time of 20:53. She earned national titles in both the 800-meter and mile runs at last season's indoor track & field championship.