KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Earning her ticket to the 2011 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships back on Feb. 13, the time is now for junior Karissa Carlson (Pateros, Wash./Pateros HS) as she heads to Geneva, Ohio this week.

Carlson, who earned an automatic qualifying time at the UW Open, will compete in the 800m run at the GaREAT Sports Complex.  With a qualifying time of 2:17.75, she is seeded 11th among the 18-runner field.

Joining her in the field are conference foes Alma Garcilazo and Sarah Hanchett of Eastern Oregon.  The favorite in the event looks to be junior Helen Crofts of Simon Fraser, who posted a qualifying time of 2:05.43, nearly eight seconds faster than the second-seeded Milca Villegas of Wayland Baptist.

Carlson is set to take to the track on Friday at 4:15 p.m. EST (1:15 p.m. PST).  More information regarding the 2011 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships can be found at http://naia.cstv.com/sports/w-itrack/spec-rel/082310aaa.html.