ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio's Kari Summers set the school record in the 3000 meter steeplechase this evening at the NCAA Track and Field East Regionals from Indiana University. Summers finished 20th overall and eclipsed her best time in the event by almost nine seconds.

The senior from Troy, Ohio concluded her stellar career as a Bobcat with a time of 10:23.92 in the steeplechase, her best time in the 3k. Stephanie Garcia of Virginia won the event with a time of 9:54.76, almost four seconds ahead of ACC counterpart Alyssa Kulik of Clemson. Akron's Cassandra Schenck finished 13th and Summers placed ahead of fellow MAC runners Emma Kurtesz of Toledo and Madeline Ribbant of Central Michigan

Summers had never finished outside the top five in the 3000 meter steeplechase in five tries. Two weeks ago, she finished third at the Mid-American Conference Championships with a time of 10:34.90. This spring, Summers won the race at the All-Ohio Outdoor Championships and finished second at the Gina Relays with a personal best time of 10:32.34.

As the East region is competing on and around Indiana's Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex, the West region will be participating in an identical competition in Eugene, Oregon. The top performers at both regionals, including Ohio's Annie Beecham, will then travel to Des Moines, Iowa for the NCAA Championships on June 8-11.