Crestwood grad Bridget Franek top qualifier in steeplechase at U.S. Track and Field Championships

Akron native LaShaunte'a Moore, Willoughby native Katie McGregor and Glenville High student Quincy Downing also compete in the meet.

Crestwood High grad Bridget Franek of Penn State was the top qualifier in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase prelims Thursday at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Franek, looking to add a national championship to the NCAA title she won earlier this month, ran a 9:58.91 and was the top qualifier by nearly four seconds. The final is Sunday.

Akron native LaShaunte'a Moore (Firestone) qualified first in the first round of the women's 100 with a time of 11.26 seconds. The semifinals and final are today.

Willoughby native Katie McGregor, 32, finished seventh in the women's 10,000 (32:58.62). Amy Begley won in 32:06.45 to claim the title for the second straight year.

In the junior portion of the meet, Glenville's Quincy Downing, a senior this fall, placed 19th in the 800 (1:55.53).