Former Stevens Point standout and Stanford track star, Roisin Willis, is once again a NCAA national champion thanks to a personal best, record-breaking performance in the 800-meter race at the NCAA outdoor championships.
The junior broke the meet record at 1:58.13 to post the third best time in collegiate history, becoming a two-time NCAA champion after winning the indoor race her freshman season.
The time beats the two-day-old meet record set by LSU’s Michaela Rose in the qualification race. Rose was in prime position to finish on top once Willis’ initial burst began to lose steam, as she led the front of the herd for the majority of the race.
But in the closing stretch, Willis found a second wind that left the field behind by a wide margin.
Last season, Willis was runner-up, finishing just behind teammate Juliette Whittaker. But now she feels like she is finally starting to put the pieces together. And having taken intentional measures to refocus herself, Willis returned to the NCAA championships in peak form — and with a new perspective.
“I think as a freshman I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything,” Willis said on the ESPN broadcast. ”Now, coming here, I’m a full complete person. I have stronger faith. I have good people around me. And most importantly, I’m happy on and off the track.”
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Reporter Alfred Smith III at alfred.smith@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AlfredS_III.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Stanford’s Roisin Willis, former Stevens Point standout, becomes two-time NCAA champion
Reporting by Alfred Smith III, Stevens Point Journal / Wausau Daily Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
