By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

WALNUT, CALIF. -- Willamette University runner Kimber Mattox (Jr., Bend, OR/Bend HS/Cornell Univ.) achieved the seventh fastest time in NCAA Division III history in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase on Thursday, April 14, while competing at the Mt. SAC Relays, hosted by Mount San Antonio College.

Mattox registered a time of 10:23.34, easily recording an NCAA Division III automatic qualifying time and moving her name onto the DIII all-time Top 10 list. Her time is the fastest in NCAA Division III this season.

Mattox completed the race approximately 20 seconds faster than the NCAA automatic qualifying standard of 10:43.10. She also broke her own school record of 10:38.05, set during the 2009 season.

The steeplechase at the Mt. SAC Relays featured a high-quality field of 21 runners, mostly from NCAA Division I or running clubs. Mattox placed sixth overall. Jamie Cheever from the Team USA Minnesota club won the race in 10:02.18 Erica Richardson of Idaho State University was the top collegiate finisher in second place at 10:16.91.

Prior to Thursday's competition, Mattox already had an NCAA provisional qualifying time in the steeplechase this spring. Her provisional time was 10:47.17 at the Willamette Opener on March 5.

Now that Mattox has an automatic qualifying time she is guaranteed a spot in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division III Championships, scheduled for May 26-28 at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. Mattox placed sixth in the steeplechase at the NCAA Championships in 2009 to earn All-America honors. She was ninth in the steeplechase at the NCAA Championships in 2010.