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

CLAREMONT, CALIF. -- Willamette freshman Michaela Freeby (Milwaukie, OR/Rex Putnam HS) took 13th place in the finals of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase on Saturday, May 26 at the 2012 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. Freeby registered a time of 11:05.65 in the finals.

Keri Lambert from Amherst College (Mass.) won the steeplechase in 10:27.32. She moved out to a sizable early lead and continued to hold a significant advantage throughout the race. Lambert also had the top time of 10:41.71 during the preliminary heats on Thursday.

Emily Canales from the University of Redlands (Calif.) placed second in Saturday's final at 10:36.62. She edged out Jena Peacock of Rowan University, who took third place with a time of 10:37.20.

Freeby finished an outstanding freshman year as a Willamette athlete. During the cross country season, she placed fifth at the Northwest Conference Championships, was ninth at the NCAA West Regional and was Willamette's top finisher as the Bearcats took 29th place at the NCAA Division III Championships.

In track and field, Freeby won the NWC championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and placed second behind teammate Theresa Edwards (Jr., Lake Tapps, WA/Bonney Lake HS) in the 1,500-meter run.

She broke the 11-minute mark in the steeplechase with a time of 10:57.44 at the West Coast Invitational, and set a new personal record of 10:57.24 in her preliminary heat at the NCAA Championships on Thursday. Freeby is ranked third on Willamette's all-time list in the steeplechase.

Jaela Dinsmore (Sr., Hines, OR/Burns HS) will compete for Willamette later Saturday afternoon. She is one of nine athletes scheduled to run in the finals of the women's 100-meter dash at 4 p.m. (PDT).