A long season concludes this week in Sacramento, Calif., for the three national competitors on the ISU women’s track and field team.

Senior Gina Rickert, junior Susan Sherman, and freshman Rebecca Williams will make the trip after qualifying in the Midwest Regional meet May 30-31. It was the first time the Cyclones have had to compete between the Big 12 Conference meet and the national meet.

Previously, qualifiers for national competition had been determined using best times throughout the outdoor season. This season, everything depended on performances in the regional meet.

Williams will be one of only three freshmen competing in the 100-meter hurdle field.

ISU women’s coach Dick Lee said that puts Williams up against many good and experienced runners.

“We are hoping that Rebecca will get through the first round and advance to finals, but in order to do that she will have to try and run faster than she has all year,” he said.

Williams’ time of 13.63 seconds ranks 28th among qualifiers.

Sherman goes to nationals after finishing third in the discus at both the Big 12 and Midwest Regional meets. She is ranked 18th among national discus competitors.

Lee said Sherman will try to advance out of the first round Wednesday and get a chance to earn her first All-America honors.

“If Susan gets into the finals, that in itself will be a great accomplishment,” he said.

Rickert, a high jumper, is the only Cyclone senior competing at nationals, and she is the highest-ranked participant from Iowa State, currently fifth among declared high jump participants. She finished third outdoors last season.

The five-time All-American and four-time Big 12 high jump champion will face a new challenge at the national meet.

The high jump competitors will have to qualify for finals in a preliminary round Thursday before the finals Saturday evening. At most meets, the high jump is contested in one flight.

Rickert is also dealing with some lingering injuries.

“She’s not 100 percent healthy and jumping twice will make it more challenging for her,” Lee said. “But this is her last meet, which leaves her very motivated.”

Rickert said maintaining good technique will be crucial to keep from aggravating an injury.

“If I jump on it wrong, that’s when it hurts,” she said. “It’s more of a mental issue.”

The meet begins Wednesday morning.