April 20, 2001

Box Score

WALNUT, Calif. - UNLV senior distance runner Katie Barto improved her NCAA qualfying and school-record time in the 5,000 meters, clocking 16:27.92 at the Mt. SAC Relays last Friday.

Barto, who had already provisionally qualified in the 5,000 with a 16:39.95 effort in March, is the only Rebel on this year's squad to have attained a qualifying time. She finished 17th among NCAA competition in the race and ranks among the top 20 nationally in her event.

Also competing for the Rebels was senior Jenni Lopez, who finished seventh in the 3,000 meters in 9:56.17. That time ranks her third on the UNLV all-time performance list in the event.

On Sunday, sophomore Belisa Suarez leapt 38-00.00 in the triple jump to capture 10th place overall, and sophomore Tianika Sharrieff cleared 5-06.00 in the high jump to finish fifth.

The Rebels return to southern California this weekend to participate in the Cal-Nevada Championships on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 in Irvine, Calif.