LYNNFIELD — Former Lynnfield High School track and soccer standout Kate Mitchell is wrapping up a fantastic five-year track and field career at Boston College on the biggest stage there is in the world of collegiate track and field — the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The championships will be held from Wednesday, June 7, to Saturday, June 10, at the University of Texas Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field in Austin.
Mitchell is scheduled to run in the women’s 800m semifinal race on Thursday, June 8, starting at 9:14 p.m. (CST). The final, which Mitchell will qualify for if she finishes in the top 12, will be held on Saturday, June 10, also at 9:14 p.m.
Mitchell punched her ticket to the NCAAs with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA East Regional Championships, becoming one of 12 runners from the East Regional to advance to the final. Mitchell placed second in the preliminary round with a time of 2:02.65 to advance to the quarterfinals, where she finished sixth overall with a time of 2:04.39 to secure a bid to the NCAA Championships.
Lynnfield High teacher and coach Bill Wallace, who coached Mitchell during her Pioneer days, said he has been following Mitchell’s career at Boston College.
“She has set numerous records there and has become one of the most talented runners to ever go through the BC program,” Wallace said. “She even recently qualified for the Olympic trials! There has never been a more successful and accomplished runner to come out of the Lynnfield High track program.”
Mitchell tuned up for the East Regional by winning her second ACC Championship of the year in the women’s 800m, as the Eagles tied for 13th at the ACC Outdoor Championships, held from May 25-27 in Jacksonville, Fla.
The reigning Indoor ACC Women’s 800m champion successfully defended her throne, starting with a first-place finish in the preliminary round (2:03.57). Mitchell set a personal record in the final, posting a time of 2:01.73 — a new school record and the sixth-best time in the NCAA this season.
