Lady Buccaneer looks to qualify for the IAAF World Championships on Saturday

EUGENE, Ore. (June 25, 2009) - Senior Heidi Dahl (Orem, Utah) went head-to-head against the best American athletes on Thursday night, and the Lady Buccaneer didn't back away from the challenge after qualifying for the finals of the 1500m at the USA National Championships inside Hayward Field.

Dahl waited for the best possible moment to turn in a lifetime best in the 1500m, as she was one of 12 athletes to advance to Saturday's final in the event. The Orem, Utah finished seventh in the prelims of the 1500m, posting a new ETSU record mark of 4:14.00. Despite finishing seventh in the event, Dahl clocked the fourth fastest time on Thursday evening.

"Heidi knew in order to advance to the final she would have to set a lifetime best, and she did that tonight," commented associate head coach Michelle Byrne. "I am very proud of her effort and hopefully she can turn in another successful performance on Saturday." 

The All-American Lady Buccaneer distance runner will now have a chance to represent Team USA at the IAAF World Championships when Dahl competes in the finals of the 1500m. Dahl needs to finish in the top three of the final along with recording the "A" qualifying standard to qualify for the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany this August.

The finals of the 1500m will be contested at 9:11 Eastern Time on Saturday night.  

For live video streaming and more information regarding the USA National Championships, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/USAOutdoorTFChampionships. ESPN will also televise Saturday's events, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more information on Buccaneer track and field, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.