Tallahassee (WTXL) - The Florida State Women's Outdoor Track and Field team wrapped up a memorable weekend at the National Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The team had their highest finish since 2009, ending up in 6th place, while two Seminole ladies won National titles.
Colleen Quigley was the first Nole to capture gold, as she broke away after the final hurdle in the 3000M Steeplechase to beat defending National Champion Leah O'Conner from Michigan State. Her team was just over 9:29, a career best, and the third fastest in collegiate history.
Twenty minutes later, Kala Funderburk took the track for the 400M finals, and finished with the same result as Quigley. The title was the first in the 400M since 1984.
What's even more remarkable about the title is that Funderburk won it from the outside line. She said there were some shadows towards the end of the race, and she actually thought she'd finished second, a result she was pleased with.
It wasn't until the camera's started gathering in her face that Funderburk realized she'd accomplished so much more then second place.
"The camera was in my face, and I was like, I just won!" she remembered on Monday. "It was like, I couldn't speak, I didn't know what to do, I just fell to the ground and screamed. I don't watch the race, but I have watched the reaction at least ten times and I actually woke up yesterday and I kind of cried. It's really overwhelming. It didn't get to set in for me, so when I did get home and I did get to watch it, I was just really happy."
Both Quigley and Funderburk hope to make the US team for the World Championships in August in Beijing. Quigley stayed in Eugene after winning to continue to train. Funderburk will fly out next week. Qualifying starts June 25th.
