NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. - The NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Track and Field Committee recently announced the participants for the 2008 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh between May 22-24. The Little East Conference placed three student-athletes in the championship field after they reached the automatic and provisional standards established for each event.

Under the direction of Head Coach Peter Thomas, Keene State College features two of the top-ranked athletes in their respective event. Seniors Jennifer Adams (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) and Crystal Blamy (Walpole, N.H.) are seeded first in 5,000-meter run and high jump, respectively, after setting the national standard earlier this season.

Adams turned in the fastest performance in the nation in the 5,000-meter run at the New England Open Championships, crossing the finish line with a time of 16:39.47 seconds. She cruised past the 31-person field, besting her closest competitor from Boston College by over five seconds. Adams, who captured the 2008 NCAA Division III Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship in the 5, 000-meter run, sits atop the 18-person national field with a two second advantage over her closest competitor. She is also the second seed in the 10,000-meter run event (35:03.33).   

Blamy set the national and Owls' standard in the high jump this past weekend at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Championships, clearing 1.76 meters (5'-09.25"). Her season-high mark defeated two other student-athletes that will be competing in the 18-person championship field. Blamy also won the high jump title at the 2008 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Samantha Hirsh (Holliston, Mass.) joins her classmates in the national field, qualifying in the javelin throw. She recorded a season-best throw of 41.47 meters at the New England Division III Championships. Hirsh is currently seeded 11th in the 17-person field.

For complete coverage of the 2008 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, please click on the NCAASports.com Web site.