COLLEGE STATION, Texas – After setting the Jacksonville University record in the 800-meter run in mid-February, Dolphin mid-distance runner Michelle Howell closed out the 2017 indoor season at the NCAA Indoor Championships Friday evening at Texas A&M's Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium.

Howell finished eighth in her heat in the preliminaries and 15th overall with a time of 2:08.27.

"The NCAA indoor meet is the toughest competition in all of college sports to qualify for," said Head Coach Ron Grigg. "We are all incredibly proud of Michelle for making it into the meet. While I know she is disappointed in the result, I am certain she gained valuable experience that she will use to her benefit next year."

Howell's JU record of 2:04.79, set at the Vanderbilt Music City Challenge, was the 17th-quickest time in the nation heading into the weekend's national championship.

The Dolphins open the outdoor season Saturday, March 18 at the UCF Black & Gold Challenge in Orlando, Fla.