In her first international competition, Illinois State sophomore Rachel Hickey earned a silver medal Sunday for Team USA after posting a personal-best performance in the 1,500-meter run at the Pan American U20 Championships in San José, Costa Rica.
Hickey improved her time by four seconds, running a 4:26.83 in only her second time competing in the 1,500. The LaSalle-Peru High School graduate took second behind Canada's Maggie Smith and placed ahead of third-place Joselyn Chau, also of Canada.
"Rachel's performance speaks for itself today,” ISU assistant Coach Jon-Michael Brandt said. “She came to her first international competition and ran to a podium finish.