May 25, 2007
Columbia, Mo. – Feeling little pressure in her first NCAA regional performance, sophomore distance runner Carmen Mims ran the best race of her Commodore career, narrowly missing a berth in the NCAA Championships with an eighth place finish in the 5,000 meters.
Mims, from Louisville, Ky., surprised herself and Vanderbilt distance coach Steve Keith with the 16:29.59 performance. The effort marked a 20-second personal best for the sophomore.
“To tell you the truth, I have no idea how I did it,” Mims said. “I didn’t feel any pressure coming into the race. Coach (Keith) just wanted me to run hard but to take everything in, and just have a positive experience. I sure did that.”
Keith’s other Commodore pupil, 2004 All-America Erika Schneble, struggled over the final mile and finished 10th in the race, with a 16:38.80 effort.
“I’m disappointed right now,” Schneble said after warming down after the race. “I thought I was ready to really have a great race and it just didn’t happen. But overall, I’d say this has been a good year.”
Keith was pleased with both Mims and Schneble. “I’m proud of both of them. It’s been a long season for Carmen and for her to finish with a race like that is just great. I think Carmen’s performance is a tribute to Erika because she’s been such a good teammate. I’m wish Erika could have enjoyed a better race, but I think we might have hit a plateau.”
A third Commodore athlete, Garnetta Holloway, finished 17th in the javelin. After throwing the javelin 145 feet two weeks ago at the Southeastern Conference Championships, Holloway was only able to achieve a best of 134’9″ at the regionals.
A fourth Commodore participant, senior Ashleigh Wetzel, did not advance Saturday in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Wetzel finished 26th overall with a 11:21.56 performance.
For much of the 5,000, Mims and Schneble ran together toward the back of a large lead pack. The race turned dramatically at the two-mile mark when Notre Dame senior Molly Huddle decided to push the pace. With the race quickening and Schneble struggling to maintain her position, Mims eased past her teammate.
During the final three laps, Mims improved her position, passing two University of Indiana runners Lindsay Hattendorf and Jessica Gall. She tried valiantly, but was unable to track down a group of four competitors that finished seconds ahead. When Mims crossed the finish line, she had missed a NCAA berth by a mere four seconds. Only one runner from the SEC, Arkansas sophomore Christine Kalmer, topped Mims in the race.
The performance was a big personal best for Mims. Her previous best, 16:49.48, came in early April under ideal conditions at Palo Alto, Calif. Just two weeks ago at the SEC Championships, Mims barely broke 17:00 for the 5,000-meter distance.
