Amy Schnittger has long ago established her credentials as one of the top steeplechase runners in the nation, with her name prominently featured at the top of the Chico State record books. Just three races into the 2013 season, the senior from Watsonville is well on her way to competing for back-to-back All-America honors, thanks to posting an NCAA Provisional Qualifying mark Saturday at the Stanford Invitational. Her outstanding Bay Area effort makes Schnittger the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Schnittger locked down the NCAA Provisional mark in the Stanford Invitational’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. It was the first time this season she competed in the event, and she turned in an superlative effort, finishing sixth in her section with a time of 10:44.65 – just two seconds shy of her own school record.
Schnittger’s time in the Stanford Invitational is the fastest in the 3,000-meter steeplechase among California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) athletes so far this season, and the third best among all Division II runners in 2013. Saturday’s run was also the fifth sub-11 minute 3,000-meter steeplechase run of Schnittger’s Chico State career.
The Chico State women’s track & field team is in action this weekend, competing Thursday and Friday in the Delta Heptathlon in Stockton, and in Klamath Falls, Ore. Saturday as part of the annual California/Oregon Border Battle.
