Nighthawk Grads Shine on Collegiate Track

The eye blinks in about three quarters of a second. The margin of victory in track events are measured in hundredths of a second. 

graduate Heather Corder missed qualifying at the NCAA Division 2 Championship Friday night by 18 one-hundredths of a second--less than blink of an eye. 

Corder, a freshman at Cal Poly Pomona, ran her 100-meter hurdles prelim in a time of 14.03.  The final qualifying time in the 100 hurdles was 13.85.  Corder’s time was 11th fastest, but only the top eight moved on to the final.

But for the freshman, the NCAA championships were a unique experience. She ran in the final heat of her event and knew the time she had to beat.  

"I was just excited to even be there,” Corder said by telephone. “I didn’t get a PR [personal record], but I was .04 off it. I was looking at the times, thought I could do a 13.8. But right now, I’m happy I’m even made it.” 

It’s been a strong year for Corder, who has been adjusting to college life, even though it’s just an hour down the road from home.

“The workouts have been much harder,” she said. “But being an hour away from home, it helps. I still go home every couple weeks, have dinner with Grandma and family, so that really helps.”

Though the NCAAs are the final event of her college season, training doesn’t stop.  Corder will be training for the U.S. Junior Nationals next month in Oregon, before taking a few weeks off to enjoy life at home in Murrieta with family, where training will still continue.

Next year, Heather is hoping to win the PCAA championships, signifying the best in the conference. 

“It’s possible, especially with the seniors that are graduating, and I hope to keep lowering my PRs,” she said.

Corder was named NCAA All-Region for her outstanding season, an honor also bestowed on another Nighthawks grad from last year, Matt Boudreau.

Bourdeau, also running with Cal Poly Pomona, was a part of a blazing fast Bronco 4x400 relay team that beat some of the top teams in the West this year.