DES MOINES – ISU women’s sprints and hurdles coach Scott Roberts expected one of the 100-meter hurdlers to qualify for the NCAA Championships. The runner to qualify, however, was unexpected.

After senior Rebecca Williams was disqualified for a false start during preliminaries at the NCAA Midwest Regional track meet Friday at Drake, freshman Jenna Caffrey ran a time of 13.59 seconds in the finals Saturday, placing fifth and qualifying herself for Nationals.

“We are really building a tremendous hurdle tradition,” Roberts said. “We’re definitely passing the torch today from our old champion, who has done so much for Iowa State, to a new champion, who I think is going to do a whole lot for Iowa State.”

Williams’ time in the event was the 22nd best in the nation coming into the meet. The top five finishers from all four regions automatically qualify for Nationals, while the rest are chosen from an at-large pool based on the best times throughout the season.

However, to be part of the at-large pool, a runner needs to be in the top 12 at Regionals, meaning Williams lost her chance to qualify for Nationals with the false start.

Caffrey, meanwhile, saw her race as an opportunity to honor Williams.

“Rebecca’s left some pretty big shoes to follow, and that’s something I want to go out there and do – is follow in her footsteps,” Caffrey said. “It definitely gave me some extra motivation, knowing that she’s not in there and I’ve got to step up and run extra hard.”

The result of Caffrey’s success is a trip to the NCAA Championships, held June 6 to 9 in Sacramento, Calif.

While Williams was disappointed at how her career ended, she said watching Caffrey step up made it a little easier to swallow.

“It feels good. It’s almost like a new era is starting. I feel happy I’ve been able to train with her, and I feel like I’ve been able to tell her a lot of things to help her out,” Williams said. “I can see her winning this meet in the next couple of years.”

Roberts said reaching the NCAA Championships as a freshman will give Caffrey much-needed experience for the future.

“The experience she’ll gain this year by going as a freshman will pay huge dividends down the road as she gets older,” Roberts said. “I think it’s just a tremendous experience for her to do that. I couldn’t be prouder of her. The big race comes and she’s always ready to go.”

Caffrey is the only person on the team to have a guaranteed spot at Nationals, as a number of others will wait to see if they are selected from the at-large pool.

“I don’t think it’s really hit me how cool it really is. It probably won’t hit me until I’m actually there, looking around and seeing all these other big athletes,” Caffrey said. “It hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m definitely excited.”

Williams, meanwhile, leaves a permanent mark on Iowa State despite a sour ending. The senior from Yuma, Ariz., qualified for Outdoor Nationals twice and Indoor Nationals earlier this year, also winning a Big 12 Indoor Championship for the Cyclones.

“She leaves Iowa State as the top hurdler in school history,” Roberts said. “She’s always carried herself with dignity and class and is a great human being besides a great hurdler. She has meant everything to us, and she’s the reason that the hurdle program is taking off the way it is.”

Related article: MTRACK: A disappointing season finish