Naperville, Ill. - Junior Jacina Sims (Park Forest, Ill./Rich East) qualified for the 2011 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships with a "B" standard qualifying time of 12.23 in the 100-meter dash to highlight a record-setting meet for the Saint Xavier University women's track team this past weekend at the Dr. Keeler Invitational hosted by North Central College in Naperville, Ill. In addition, the Cougars had a number of school-record performances over the weekend with senior Kayla Gilbert (Country Club Hills, Ill./Shepard) establishing a new mark in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:00.61 and junior Rachael Dean (Lindenhurst, Ill./Judson University/Lakes) breaking the record in the 800-meter run at 2:18.68 and running an "A" standard qualifying time in the 1500 meter run at 4:39.68. Junior Jackie Ott (Island Lake, Ill./Marian Central Catholic) also set a new personal best time in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:19.86.

"What a phenomenal way to end the regular season," said Saint Xavier University women's track coach Lisa Ebel. "The girls came out this weekend and ran to the best of their abilities, and as a coach, that is all you can ask. It showed in their times as many of them hit school records and life-time bests. Now we have to get ready for Nationals and I strongly believe we have a solid group of qualifiers with four individuals and a 4x800 relay set to compete. I can't wait to see how they fare on the national stage."

Saint Xavier will send its qualifiers to the 2011 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind., starting on Thursday, May 26. Sims will compete in the 100-meter dash, Dean and senior Lauren Dentzman (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) qualified in the 1500-meter run, but will not run due to their participation in the 4x800 meter relay and sophomore Mercedes Mancha (Elgin, Ill./Streamwood) will take part in the 5,000-meter race walk. The 4x800 meter relay team made up of Ott, Dentzman, Dean and Gilbert will also represent SXU at the national meet.