Zaldana finishes ninth at national championships

Edwardsville, Ill. (May 21, 2009) --- Milligan College sophomore Lili Zaldana ran to a ninth place finish, personal record, and new school record Thursday night at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships on the campus of SIU-Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL.

Zaldana's time of 37:33 took down the previous school record set in 2008 by Rebecca McDowell. Seeded 19th entering the race, Zaldana blew through 3 miles in 17:48 on her way to lowering her previous best by a minute.

She completed a successful Day One for the Buffs and Lady Buffs which saw senior Jacklyn Talbert lower her own 1500 meter best and school record to 4:36.62 to earn an automatic qualifier to Saturday's final. Sophomore Aaron Wood missed a spot in the 800 meter semi-final by .06.  His time of 1:53.93 was the second fastest of his career.

In Friday's action, Milligan freshman All-American Austin Ellis will compete in the men's 5000 meter semi-final in search of a spot in Saturdays final. 

For complete meet results visit www.cfpitiming.com or www.naia.org.