Kolbe punches her ticket to the NCAA Track and Field Championship Meet
University of North Florida junior Smilla Kolbe clocked in a time of 2:02.36 in the women's 800m race to punch her ticket to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships last Saturday.
"Smilla [Kolbe] competed very well today,” said head coach Jeff Pigg. “She is learning to navigate traffic and make good decisions in her races. Her attention to detail and preparation paid off today. I'm proud of her and look forward to fast races in Eugene."
Kolbe grabbed an at-large bid after finishing with the fifth-best time in the second heat and the 10th overall mark in the quarterfinals of the NCAA East Region First Round. She is one of 12 runners from the East region to qualify for the 800m semifinals and one of four non-Power Five athletes.
The Hanover, Germany, native came to UNF in Fall 2023 and is studying psychology.
She becomes the fourth female Osprey to advance to the NCAA Championship meet and the first since Eden Meyer in 2018. It is also back-to-back seasons sending a UNF runner to the championship meet following Aidan O'Gorman's appearance in the 10,000m final this past year.
Kolbe has been tabbed the 2024 Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year and has twice received the Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Kolbe will continue her postseason racing in the women's 800m race at the 2024 NCAA D-I Outdoor Track & Field Championships from Wednesday, June 5, to Saturday, June 8, in Eugene, Oregon.