JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gemma Finch punched her ticket to Eugene, Ore. and the national semifinals in the 800m by breaking her own school record Saturday evening in Jacksonville, Fla. Finch's time of 2:02.81 shaved nearly three seconds off the previous school record of 2:05.29, set by the senior earlier this year.
Finch, eying a ticket to Eugene, finished fifth in the first heat of the event, just .54 seconds shy of third place and an automatic qualifying spot. The Newbury, U.K. native was still in the mix for a qualifying spot, however, and was rewarded as the 12th and final qualifier from the East via time.