COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Junior Ashley Tutt (Channahon, Ill./Minooka) of the Northern Illinois University women's track and field team finished 11th in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA West Preliminary on Thursday night (May 27) to advance to the NCAA Championships. With her top-12 finish, Tutt becomes the fifth Huskie student-athlete in program history to advance to the NCAA finals. 

"This is one of the most competitive track and field meets there is," said NIU Director of Track and Field Connie Teaberry. "To make it out of either the west or east prelim is a great accomplishment. As I have said before, Ashley Tutt and Remy Amarteifio are so deserving, and it was rewarding to see them once again give everything they had at a chance to move on to Eugene."

Tutt ran a time of 33:52.20 in warm conditions at Texas A&M's E.B. Cushing Stadium, 14 seconds inside the top-12 cutline to advance to the finals in Eugene, Ore. 

In a crowded field of 48 runners, the Channahon, Ill., native was forced to navigate through significant traffic and bumping in the early stages of the race. Nearing the midway point, Tutt was in the lead group of runners, consistently remaining within one of the all-important top 12 places. As the race entered the latter stages, the gaps among the front group of runners widened, but Tutt continued to maintain her position in the top quarter of the field to punch her ticket to the NCAA Championships. 

"Ashley Tutt just does not stop," said Teaberry. "She is a grinder from start to finish. Her never give up mentality has punched her a ticket to the newly renovated, historic Hayward Field for the NCAA finals. This accomplishment was not an easy one to obtain. With 48 runners in one race so many things could have happened. Ashley's patience and tactical surges throughout the race were methodical and calculated and gave her the edge over many in the field.  

"She set a goal with Coach (Adrian) Myers to be at the Outdoor NCAA finals back in August 2020. To see their goalsetting come into fruition due to her hard work, dedication, and trust in the process that Coach Myers has implemented, is an achievement worthy of an NCAA Outdoor Championship berth. Congratulations Ashley we are proud of you and looking forward to watching you continue your grind!"

Tutt joins Ashley Morrow (2007), Claudette Day (2014), Hope Schmelzle (2017) and Jehvania Whyte (2018, '19) as the fifth NCAA Championships qualifier in program history. She is the first Huskie to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field and Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the same season. 



Earlier in the day, senior Remy Amarteifio (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) ran a time of 13.53 seconds to finish seventh in her heat, 37th overall, in the 100-meter hurdles. Amarteifio did not advance to Saturday's quarterfinal round but closes her NIU career as the school recordholder in the 100-meter hurdles and as a three-time NCAA Preliminary qualifier. 

"Remy finished her memorable final season with a season's best, running her third-fastest time ever placing 37th," said Teaberry. "I am extremely proud of Remy's accomplishments over the last five years.  Her discipline, work ethic and focus have made her the best 100 hurdler NIU Track and Field has ever had."

The women's 10,000 meters at the 2021 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. CT on Thursday, June 10 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.