On dry land: Helen Crofts, right, became SFU's first track athlete to win an NCAA Division II national title with a win in the 800 metres at the indoor track and field championships in Birmingham, Alabama.
Photograph by: Contributed , BURNABY NOW
Helen Crofts won the first NCAA national title on land for Simon Fraser University athletics.
Just one day after Clan swimmer Mariya Chekanovych earned the distinction as the first-ever SFU athlete to win a NCAA Division II national title, Crofts earned a second following a victory in the 800 metres at the national indoor track and field championships in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday.
Crofts, one of three Clan athletes in the metric half-mile final, raced to victory in a time of 2: 05.96. "To start my career in the NAIA and now finish my indoor career with our program's first national title is just thrilling, and it gives me confidence heading into the outdoor season," said Crofts in a SFU press release.
Schoolmates Michaela Kane and Lindsey Butterworth finished fifth and eighth, respectively, in the 800m final.
Crofts, Kane, Butterworth and Chantel Desch also won a bronze medal in the distance medley relay.
On Friday, Crofts, Kane, Sarah Sawatzky and Desch earned All-American status with an eighth-place finish in the 4x400m relay.
SFU placed 12th overall in the women's aggregate team standings.
