California Baptist University
NCAA National Championships
Karinauskaite Concludes Incredible CBU Career with First Team All-American Honors
6/8/2024 6:14:00 PM | Cross Country & Track
EUGENE, ORE--- Greta Karinauskaite of the California Baptist University track team wrapped her career in incredible fashion with a First Team All-American finish in the Women's Steeplechase for the second consecutive season at the 2024 Outdoor Track and Field National Championships on Saturday afternoon.
Karinauskaite would bring home the fourth-place prize for the Lancers at Hayward Field, setting a new season-best time in the process. Her time of 9:35.56 bested her previous top time by two seconds that she set at the 2024 Bryan Clay Invitational and would be the fourth fastest time of her illustrious career. The time would not be enough to medal as Doris Lemngole would set the national record, and Olivia Markezich would post the third fastest time ever for the 1-2 finish.
Karinauskaite, as she often does, took the early lead and would spend 3-4 laps in the top spot as she paced the group through 2000 meters. A shaky landing to the fourth water barrier would put her slightly behind the lead pack of Lemngole and Markezich. Still, Karinauskiate would recover and keep within shoulder distance of the two runners. A massive kick in the final two and a half from the runners mentioned above would put them ahead for good. Karinauskaite would lose a little steam on the final straightaway but would ultimately claim the fourth position and earn her a First Team All-American nod.
The race would mark Karinauskiate's final in a Lancer uniform, and she would certainly leave her mark on the program.
"Words cannot begin to express how special and impactful Greta has been on CBU. The greatest athlete in school history who has an amazing running career ahead of her. Truly incredible athlete!," said Head Coach Adam Tribble of his senior star.
Karinauskaite's career accolades include:
- 2023 Steeplechase National Runner-Up
- 2x First Team All-American in Outdoor Season
- 2024 WAC Track Athlete of the Year
- 2023 USTFCCCA West Region Athlete of the Year
- 3x WAC Steeplechase Champion (Consecutive)
- First Lancer Athlete to earn consecutive National bids
- Set the program and West Region record in the Steeplechase in Sacramento in 2023, clocking in at a time of 9:26.88
- Became the first Lancer to become a Cross Country All-American with a 17th place finish at Nationals in 2023
- All-Region in the Women's 6K in Cross Country Season with a 2nd place finish in Sacramento
- 4x First Team All-WAC in Cross Country Season
- 2023 WAC Individual Champion in Cross Country Season
- Program Record Holder in the 3000M Steeplechase (9:26.88) and Women's 6K (19:12.4
Players Mentioned
