Skiba concludes career with national title

(CANTON, N.Y. – May 23, 2015) The 2015 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships hosted by St. Lawrence was definitely a memorable meet for senior Melissa Skiba, who will return to Southern California as a national champion.

In her final collegiate race, Skiba went out in front of the 5,000-meter field, clocking a 17:04.04 to win by more than four seconds after taking control with about a lap and a half to go.

“It’s definitely an amazing feeling,” Skiba said. “I have been wanting to do this the past couple of years and working so hard to accomplish it so I am just really, really happy to have actually done it.”

Skiba sat back and watched the way that the tactical race would unfold on a cool, windy day before making a move. After the first half was between 80-90 second laps, the pace increased to close out the race.

“It was very windy, so no one wanted to sacrifice themselves today. It went out very slow and then picked up the last four laps,” she went on. “About halfway through the race I went out in front a little bit to push the pace. I knew there were a lot of good 1,500-meter runners in the race and I didn’t want to play to their advantage. I just wanted to tire them out a little bit. Other people took the lead after I did, but I broke away with about 600 meters to go.”

No stranger to high-level competition, Skiba was able to take a step back and enjoy this race more than others she has competed in.

“I tried to be more relaxed than I was in previous years and I think that played a big part,” she said. “I knew I had done all the training and just went out there and had fun.”

As her collegiate career concludes, Skiba leaves her mark at Cal Lutheran with five All-America honors between cross country and track and field in as many appearances. During her first NCAA Division III Track & Field National meet in 2013, Skiba placed third in 16:41.91 and a year ago she was the national runner-up in 16:32.99.

Both Allie Hadley and Amanda Hamilton competed in the field for the Regals as the trio combined for a 15th place team finish.

Hadley placed fourth in the javelin to earn her third straight All-America honor. After a first attempt foul, she got one in at 44.04 meters to advance to the finals, where she used a best throw of 44.18 meters on her final attempt to round out her season.

Hamilton triple-jumped to a 13th place finish after recording an 11.74 meter jump on her third and final opportunity of the meet.

Bria Halama, the triple jump champion from Wisconsin La-Crosse, set a Division III and stadium record with her mark of 12.87 meters.

Skiba becomes the second national champion in Regals history, joining 2012 javelin winner Britlyn Garret.

Earlier this week, Hadley and Skiba were respectively named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association West Regional Field and Track Athlete of the Year.

While Skiba’s career has wrapped up, Hadley and Hamilton will be back on the track and in the field for one more season in 2016.

To view an interview with Skiba, click here.