Venters Captures All-America Honors at NCAA Indoor Championships

ALBUQUERQUE – Utah track & field senior Emily Venters became just the fourth Ute to garner indoor All-America honors on Friday inside the Albuquerque Convention Center after finishing fifth-overall in the 5000m with a time of 15:59.22 (aa).
 
“Em ran another terrific championship race,” head coach Kyle Kepler said afterwards. “As expected, it was a very slow and tactical early pace. She got good early position and never blinked. Emily showed exceptional poise and confidence as the pace increased just after halfway. She stayed within herself and battled all the way to the line to secure her first indoor All-America honor and tie the highest ever individual finish by a Ute at the indoor championships.”
 
Her fifth-place finish ties Amanda Mergaert (2012-13, Mile) for the best finish in program history and is just the fourth time a Ute has finished in the top-10 of an event at the indoor championships.
 
“A super tactical race out there tonight,” Venters said postrace. “Definitely tough but another great learning experience! Championship races are always hard to predict so happy that I was able to stick my nose in it and give it a go. I’m grateful to have gotten another All-America honor for this program as I’m just so thankful for all that it has given me!”

 
The Lawrence, Kan., product stayed in the front with the lead pack for nearly the entire race alongside the likes of Katelyn Touhy (NC State), the eventual champion, Hilda Olemomoi (Alabama), Mercy Chelangat (Alabama) and Kelsey Chimiel (NC State). Venters also took the lead for a short portion late in the race before finishing with a time of 15:59.22 (aa) and out-leaned Syracuse’s Amanda Vestri for fifth.
 
Simone Plourde will close out the weekend for Utah at the NCAA Indoor Championships on Saturday, March 11, when she competes in the 3000m at 5 p.m. (MT) on ESPN+.
 
Over in St. George at the Utah Tech Invitational, freshman Shana Van Elderen made a splash in her debut by winning the women’s long jump event title with a leap of 5.94m (19-5.75) – which was good for fifth-best all-time at Utah.
 

For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 

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