Koch continues record-setting pace in Div. II track

8 years ago

CEDARVILLE, Ohio — Washburn’s Carsyn Koch continues to pull off amazing performances in collegiate track and field.

The junior at Cedarville University met the NCAA Div. II automatic qualifying standard in the 800-meter run on April 15 at the Mt. SAC Relays in Torrance, Ca. She clocked the course in 2 minutes and 6.36 seconds, which is the second fastest time in the country this spring at the Div. II level.

Less than 24 hours earlier, Koch ran the fastest 1,500 meters in Div. II this season at the Azusa Pacific Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California.

Her time of 4:12.19 cut more than 12 seconds off her school record, while also setting new stadium and meet records. The performance is the second-fastest in NCAA Div. II history, trailing only the time of 4:11.06 established by Seattle Pacific University’s Jessica Pixler in 2010 at the Mt. SAC Relays.

The event featured 274 total runners in 17 heats of the 1,500-meter run. She easily met the Div. II automatic qualifying standard in this event and she owns the fastest time in the nation by more than seven seconds.

She was named the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Div. II Women’s Track and Field National Athlete of the Week. It was the third time she has gained the honor during her collegiate career. She was a two-time recipient in 2016.

Koch is the defending NCAA Div. II outdoor 800m champion after finishing as runner-up in 2015. She has also won 2016 and 2017 indoor 800 national titles.

Koch is a 2014 graduate of Washburn District High School, where she won numerous individual and state championships in multiple sports throughout her career. She is the daughter of Peter and Liane Koch.