CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Kate Dickinson, a sophomore at the University of Maine at Farmington, stepped into the nationial spotlight Sunday at the USATF New England Regional Championships at Harvard University.

Dickinson placed third in her 3,000-meter racewalk in a personal-best time of 14:33. Her time qualifies her for the Indoor National Track and Field Championships in Boston next weekend, her first open national berth.

Lauren Forgues, a junior at Boothday Regional High School, placed fourth with a time of 15:12, narrowly missing the 14:45 qualifying standard.

In the men’s race, Adam Staier, a junior at UMF, continued his climb back to the national ranks with his second victory in two weeks, covering the 3,000 in 14:19.

Justin Cornell, a senior at Lisbon High School, placed third in 14:44. Cornell took time out from his training for the New England wrestling championships.