Loyola Marymount University Athletics

Laura Mickelson, a member of LMU’s cross country and track teams from 2004-08, set a new benchmark for the Lion program, becoming the first female in LMU history to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships. In 2006, the first season LMU sponsored women’s track, she earned a spot in the 5,000m at the NCAA West Regional and her time of 17:16.59 at the regional qualifier sent the sophomore on to the NCAA Championships where she would finish 22nd in the 5,000m prelims. A standout in both sports, Mickelson was a three-time first-team All-WCC selection in cross country (2005-07). In 2006, she became the third Lion to win the WCC women’s cross country individual title. She would go on to place seventh overall at the NCAA West Regional and become the first Lion to compete at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, a feat she would repeat in 2007.