Bloomsburg Track Athletes Headed to National Championships

BLOOMSBURG—Two members of the Bloomsburg University track teams have qualified for the NCAA Division II national championships at Abilene Christian (TX) University May 26-28.

Qualifying for the Huskies were Cherise Mercer (Philadelphia/Bishop McDevitt), and Amber Hackenberg (Middleburg/Middleburg).

Cherise Mercer

Amber Hackenberg

Mercer, the PSAC champion at 800-meters, ran a 2:13.26 to qualify for the championships. Her time is also just a half second off the school record. She also became the first Bloomsburg middle distance runner in 20 years to win a PSAC title.

Hackenberg, just a freshman, qualified in the 5,000 meters with a time of 17:32.88. Hackenberg also qualified for both the 3000 and 5000 meter races at the PSAC Indoor Championships despite having never run indoors during high school. At the championships she was sixth at 3000-meters and third place at 5000-meters to earn All-PSAC honors. In the outdoor season she qualified for the PSAC championships in three events and also ran in the Penn Relays.

Both Mercer and Hackenberg will compete in qualifying rounds on Friday, May 27th. The final for both runners is May 28th.

Coach Karen Brandt feels the program is on the upswing because of these athletes. “I am thrilled for both Cherise and Amber to have a chance to compete at NCAA's,” said Brant. “Also, along with the two who are going, we also had Mary Bacher (New Tripoli/Allentown Central Catholic) and Justin Shepherd (Cranberry Twp/Seneca Valley) just miss the cut. That makes the most runners we have ever had on the NCAA national list in my six years as head coach.”