LA CROSSE, Wisc. – Senior, and now three-time All-American, Bailey Puckett ended her illustrious career in style on Saturday afternoon at the NCAA III Track and Field Championships. Puckett finished in fifth place in the 1500-meter run, earning her third career All-America honor while establishing a new program and MIAA record. Her time of 4:21.78 is the 18th fastest in Division III history.

Puckett closed well in the race, moving from eighth to fifth in the final lap to claim her spot on the podium. The race was the fastest in Division III history and the eighth place time of 4:22.26 is the fastest time required to be an All-American by over four seconds. All eight All-Americans now rank inside the top-25 all-time in Division III. 

This is Puckett's third career All-America honor. She claimed second team All-America status in this event last year and earned her first first team honor during the indoor season in the one-mile run. Puckett concludes her career as a four-time national qualifier in track and field and a two-time qualifier in cross country and will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest athletes in Trine history.

Earlier this year, Puckett helped the Thunder cross country team to its first MIAA and NCAA Regional title before leading the team to the best national finish in school history at the NCAA Championships. She holds the fourth fastest 6000-meter cross country time in program history. She was twice named first team All-MIAA in cross country, once to the second team and holds a pair of All-Region honors.

On the track, Puckett owns the program record in the 1500-meter run, ranks second in the outdoor 5000-meters, indoor one-mile run, and indoor 3000-meters. She ranks third all time in the indoor and outdoor 800-meters and is part of three 4x400-meter relay teams on the outdoor top ten list, checking in at third, sixth, and seventh. Puckett is an eight time MIAA champion, she currently owns back-to-back-to-back titles in the mile and 1500-meters and swept the 800-meter crowns this season. Puckett owns the fifth most MIAA Championships points in program history.

This concludes the season for the Thunder.