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Iona Runner Earns 10k World Qualifying Mark for World Track and Field Championships in Beijing; Olympics in Rio de Janeiro

Written By: Talk of the Sound News

STAMFORD, CA – Continuing her story book 2014-15 cross country and track season, junior Kate Avery competed at the 2015 Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational, hosted by Stanford University. Avery set a school record and earned a world standard time in the 10,000-meter event.

Avery finished seventh overall in the race and was the second collegiate finisher. Her time of 31:41.44 shattered her own school record by more than a minute. Last year in the same event, she broke a seven-year old school mark with the 32:42.11. Former Gael standout Salome Kosgei was the previous record holder, posting a 33:44.61 in Stanford in March, 2007.

Providence’s Emily Sisson was the top collegiate finisher in 31:38.03. Sisson and Avery hold the top two times in the NCAA this season. Third fastest time is held by Arkansas’ Dominique Scott, more than 30 seconds behind Avery.

The 31:41.44 time earned by Avery is under the 32:15.00 IAAF entry standard for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It also qualifies Avery to compete in the 2015 World Track and Field Championships in Beijing, China.