TUSCON, Ariz. --- Biola junior  Natasha Miller set personal records in the last two events of the heptathlon and finished in third place with 5,162 points at the University of Arizona/Jim Click Combined Events Shootout on Friday.

The meet features some of the top athletes from around the country include competition from NCAA Division I schools Arizona State, Colorado, Kansas State, and Notre Dame in the heptathlon.

Miller started her day finishing third in the long jump with a 5.48 meter jump and then set a personal records in the last two events with a 28.39 javelin throw and a third place finish 2:18.75 in the 800.

This was Miller's first heptathlon since her 5,204 point NAIA championship effort in May of 2009.

“Natasha was just 42 points off her championship effort and set PR's in three of the seven events at this meet so we are very pleased with where she's at this early in the season," said Head Coach Jonathan Zimmerman. "For both coach and athlete it was a learning experience to go up against the NCAA division I level of competition. It was a special opportunity and one that will help us out in the overall scheme of things.”

Miller entered the day in third place after a strong performance during the opening day. In her first event, Miller placed secondin the 100 meter hurdles, earning a school record and NAIA-best time of 14.24. The time bettered her previous PR of 14.27 which she set this summer at the 2009 Canada Games. 

Following the hurdles, Miller placed second in the high jump with a leap of 1.75 meters (5-feet, 8.75-inches). She the finished eighth in the shot put with a 9.26m throw and followed that up with a fourth-place finish in the 200 in 25.53.

Miller finished behind two unattached athletes in the scoring and both are former NCAA Division I Heptathlon All-Americans. Michigan alum Bettie Wade has the top score with 5,937 points. Wade is currently one of the premier multi-event athletes in the country and represented the United States in 2009 in the IAAF World Championships. Former Colorado State star Emily Pearson is in second with 5,322 points.


Final Heptathlon Results

1. Bettie Wade, Unattached 5,937
2. Emily Pearson, Unattached 5,322
3. Natasha Miller, Biola University 5,162
4. Keia Pinnick, Arizona State 5,069
5. Samantha Henderson, Arizona State 4,746
6. Stephanie Hejde, Kansas State 4,725
7. Brianne Beemer, Colorado 4,669
8. Maddie Buttinger, Notre Dame 4,640
9. Katie Dreher, Colorado 4,515
10. Klaudia Demeter, Kansas State 3,907
11. Alyssa Frank, Colorado 3,558

Complete Meet Results:
http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/w-track/spec-rel/040210aaa.html