Jordan Advances to Finals at NAIA Championships

Overall, Jordan was 15th out of 29 runners as she finished just over 26 seconds behind the preliminary winner, Jacky Kipwambok of Azusa Pacific University.

Salem-News.com Sports

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Senior Danielle Jordan (Medford, Ore.) has advanced to the 5,000 meter run finals, as the senior will be the first-ever member of Corban's track team to race in an event final after Friday's showing in the semifinals at the 2008 NAIA Championship at Ralph Korte Stadium.

After watching a pair of teammates fall just shy of advancing to the finals in their event earlier this afternoon, Jordan went out in the 31st event of the day and clocked the 15th fastest time in the 5K.

Jordan, who was running as part of Heat #1, finished ninth thanks to a time of 18:13.57 to grab the final qualifying spot in the opening heat.

Overall, Jordan was 15th out of 29 runners as she finished just over 26 seconds behind the preliminary winner, Jacky Kipwambok of Azusa Pacific University.

Among the NAIA Region I and Cascade Collegiate Conference runners, Jordan was the second fastest competitor. The senior's time trailed only Sabrina Reeve of the University of British Columbia, who snagged the fourth automatic qualifying spot.

Jordan was the lone Cascade Collegiate Conference runner to advance to the finals, as she outlasted three other CCC competitors. Eastern Oregon's Marcella Bosch finished 19th overall, while The College of Idaho had a pair of runners -- Stephanie Helm and Katie Ball -- compete in the race with the duo finishing 23rd and 24th respectively.

The 5,000 meter finals are being held today at 5:10 PM Central Time with Jordan looking to bring home Corban's first-ever national championship medal.

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