Temple's Fernandez takes her shot in NCAA track championships
Just over three months have passed since Blanca Fernandez, 23, broke her first school record for the women's track program at Temple University.
Just over three months have passed since Blanca Fernandez, 23, broke her first school record for the women's track program at Temple University.
Since she finished the 3,000-meter race at the Valentine Invitational in 9 minutes and 16.24 seconds on Feb. 13, Fernandez has gone on to cement her place in Owls running history, becoming the first female athlete in almost three decades to represent Temple at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships (Wednesday through Saturday in Eugene, Ore.).
Fernandez, a recent addition from Spain, qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary meet in Jacksonville, Fla., with her stellar performance at the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships in mid-May, in which she captured an individual title in the 1,500. Two weeks ago at regionals, Fernandez broke her own school record for the second time this season, crossing the finish line 11th in the 1,500 with a time of 4 minutes and 19.86 seconds.
"Back in January she didn't expect these fantastic things to happen to her," Temple head coach Elvis Forde said. "Because of her hard work and because of her preparation and the time she has put into it as well, these things have happened."
Heading into the NCAAs, Fernandez is not a favorite. Though it may seem lofty - according to Forde, the competitors are the fastest not only in the nation, but in the world - her goal is to qualify for the finals by finishing among the top eight runners in the 1,500 in the preliminary round.
"On paper everyone is better than me, but in real life you never know what will happen in the race," Fernandez said. "Maybe I'll be the surprise of the competition."
Although she has only been competing in an Owls singlet for five months, Fernandez already has experience racing against the fastest of the fast. Before coming to the United States in January, Fernandez won the 1,500 at Spain's U-23 national championships.
The mid-distance star has also scoped out her American competition. Back in March, Fernandez sneaked into the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, qualifying 15th in a field of 16 runners in the 1,500. Her berth at the Indoor Championships made Fernandez the first Temple track athlete to appear at nationals since Felicia Hodges competed for the cherry and white in the high jump in 1987.
"It's her expectation that she can build upon this [season] and get better and move onto next year," Forde said. "That is going to be a tremendous boost for our team and we expect her to do very well."
NCAA Track and Field
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The NCAA Division I track and field championships begin Wednesday in Eugene, Ore. Here are athletes with local connections who will be competing.
Men
Athlete College Local H.S. Events
Thomas Awad Penn - 5,000
Glen Burkhardt Penn State Unionville 10,000
Thomas Carr Rutgers Eastern Javelin
Rob Denault Villanova - 1,500
Darrell Hill Penn State Penn Wood Shot
Noah Kennedy-White Penn - Discus
Sam Mattis Penn - Discus
Chris Mirabelli Rutgers Holy Cross Javelin
Michael Monroe Penn - High
jump
Patrick Tiernan Villanova - 5,000
Jordan Williamsz Villanova - 1,500
Thomas Lang Duke John Paul II Javelin
Eric Futch Florida Penn Wood 400H
Chidi Okezie Hampton Media Tech 400
Isaac Williams Houston Willingboro 110H
4x100
Women
Athlete College Local H.S. Events
Blanca Fernandez Temple - 1,500
Tori Gerlach Penn State Pennridge Steeple
5,000
Kelsey Hay Penn - Javelin
Leah Nugent Kentucky Abington 400H
Angel Piccirillo Villanova - 1,500
Stephanie Schappert Villanova - 1,500
Evann Thompson Pitt Lenape 400H
Taylor Ellis-Watson Arkansas Springside 400
Emma Keenan Georgetown Gwy-Mercy 800
Erika Kemp N.C. State Rancocas V. 5,000
Cierra White Texas Tech Carver 100
200
Maria Jimenez Tennessee Vineland JavelinEndText