UCR's Martinez is national runner-up
UC Riverside junior Brenda Martinez finished second in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA national championships at the University of Arkansas on Saturday.It was by far the best finish for a Highlander athlete since the transition to Division II.
It was her second All-American honor in track. She also earned honors in the indoor season.
Martinez, of Rancho Cucamonga, finished in 4:13.97 which was second to only senior Susan Kuijken of Florida State who posted a winning time of 4:13.05.
Martinez was third but used a strong sprint down the homestretch to move up a spot.
CBS aired the meet Saturday morning but showed just the last few seconds of the race and the camera was fixed on the winner..
The eight points scored by Martinez for her team put the Highlanders tied for 36th with her as the lone competitor.
About Michelle
Michelle Gardner has been a staff writer for The Sun and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin since 2002 and has covered the local college sports scene since 2004. She ventured West after working at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale for eight years and is a graduate of the University of Florida.
E-mail Michelle here.
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