University of Missouri
NCAAOutdoorNationalChampionships
Brooks Places Sixth in 5K
5/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
May 31, 2002
Baton Rouge, La. -- Senior Ann Marie Brooks ran her last collegiate race in style Friday night at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Baton Rouge, La.
Brooks placed sixth in the 5000-meter run, finishing in 16:19.85 and picked up All-American honors. Brooks is the first Missouri athlete to score at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships when she scored three points in her event.
"I might not have been feeling the best but I didn't give up," Brooks said. "I am proud of myself...it wasn't a pretty race and it wasn't an easy race, but I stuck it out. The atmosphere was just awesome. The stadium was glowing with the lights and all and there was this haze over the field and you could hear the people yelling. I just thought, 'This is what track is. This is just awesome.' It was a really cool experience."
"She did a great job," assistant coach Rebecca Wilmes said. "I thought she competed great and laid it out there on the track. Obviously she's had a great career. She's a great kid."
Brooks finishes her Missouri career as a four-time All-American in track & field and as an All-American in cross country.
Junior Knut Sommerfeldt wrapped up the first day of the decathlon with 3,715 points for 14th place.
In men's discus, Russ Bell was 16th with his mark of 177-10.
