Tuesday, August 03, 2004

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 3, 2004) - East Tennessee State University track and field and cross country alumni Catherine Berry reached the Olympic ‘B' Standard (15:20.45) in the 5,000m at the IAAF Grand Prix II meet in Heusden, Belgium this past weekend. Her time in the event was 15:19.72, which is a new personal best. Berry, a native of Surrey, England, ran for ETSU's cross country and track and field teams from 1997-2000. During her career, Berry earned All-American honors in the 5000 meters and made six trips to NCAA meets three for cross country and three for track and field. Berry holds the Buccaneer record in the outdoor 3000 meters with a time of 9:29.91 set in 1999. While competing for ETSU from 1997-2000, Berry qualified for six NCAA championship meets in cross country and track and field, earning All-American honors for her eighth-place finish in the 5,000 at the 2000 NCAA track and field championships. Earlier this summer Berry claimed the women's 5,000m crown at the British Trials, but needed to meet the Olympic ‘A' standard (15:08.70) to automatically compete in Athens. Berry still has a chance to be selected having now reached the Olympic ‘B' standard. Teams will be finalized by Aug. 9. 2004 Olympic track and field competition in Athens will begin for those who qualify on Aug. 20.