Senior Helen Crofts finished up her Simon Fraser University track and field career with an NCAA Championship on Saturday, May 25 at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship, winning the 800-metre competition in a time of 2:08.18.

“It wasn’t quite as hot or as windy as it was on Friday so we were confident going in,” said Crofts. “I was able to get out to an early lead. It wasn’t a really fast pace and the competition was close throughout. I was just able to pull away at the end.”

Crofts finished the race just over a second ahead of Jaylen Rodgers of Angelo State who finished second. It is Crofts’ second NCAA title of 2013 as she also won the 800-metre competition at the indoor championship.

“It was great to see her win but it will be sad to see her leave the program,” says head Coach Brit Townsend. “Helen has been a great leader. She was so positive and confident throughout and the whole team draws from that.” The Clan claimed three of the top six spots in the race as Lindsey Butterworth came in fourth in a time of 2:10.03 and Sarah Sawatzky finished sixth in a time of 2:10.87.

All three runners earned All-American status for their performances. “The altitude made this competition tough because we have never competed in these conditions so I’m happy with the results,” says Townsend. “I think we’ve proven we can compete at this level.”

Butterworth and Sawatzky are both juniors who will return to the Clan next year while Saturday’s championship wraps up Crofts’ Clan career. In addition to her two NCAA titles this year, Crofts also won two Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles earlier in May, winning the 400-metre and 1500-metre. She is also a former National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) champion and holds the record in the 800-metre race.

“This was a great way to finish my Clan career,” says Crofts. “Winning this title was the goal at the beginning of the season. I think as a group, we showed how strong we are, having three girls in the final.”

Saturday’s 800-metre competition wrapped up the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship for the Clan.