WALNUT, Calif. -- Nicole Blaesser set a new SRU record with an eighth-place time of 35:53.79 Thursday in the 10,000-meter run at the NCAA Division II national championship meet.

In the process, Blaesser earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-America status.

Blaesser's time Thursday trimmed 35.43 seconds off the previous school record she had set May 10 at the Gator Invitational hosted by Allegheny College in Meadville.

Blaesser was one of two Rock female student-athletes who competed in opening-day events of the three-day national championship competition.

Allison Smith had the 13th fastest time in the 400-meter hurdles preliminary heats with a time of 1:03.40. That time was approximately 1.5 seconds slower than the lowest qualifying time for the eight-person national finals.

The Rock will have two female studnet-athletes competing in events Friday and one or two competing on Saturday.

Three-time All-America pole vaulter Jennifer Hansen and 5.000-meter runner Jen Harpp will compete Friday. A strong showing by Harpp in Friday's prelims will earn her a berth in Saturday's finals.

Whitney Hendershot will compete Saturday in the high jump.