Ashley Spencer 400 frosh phenom one to look for at 2012 NCAA D1 West Prelims

Illinois true freshman Ashley Spencer ran the third fastest time of the day, advancing to the semi-finals of the 400 meter dash. Spencer is coming off of a monster Big 10 Championship meet where she set the meet record running 51.02 for 400 meters, took home the 200 meter title, and anchored the Illini 4x400 meter. Never focusing on the event in high school, the former high school hurdler talks about transitioning to college and switching events. Currently she has the 4th fastest time in the US (#1 in NCAA) for 400 meters. Still new to the event, she is a fun one to watch race and one you (and the US elites) should be looking out for. Note: In high school she ran 42.11 for the 300 hurdles and was ranked #17 in the US. Many may not have seen the success in the open 400, but if you watch this 4x4 anchor at the Indiana State Championships where she splits around 52.6, you'd have an idea that there was some potential.