prestigious NCAA meeting in the US this week.

The collegiate event is being held in Eugene, Oregon from today until Saturday and Couper will be representing Stanford University in California.

Having already shattered Bermuda's 1500 metres record on three occasions this season -- most recently at the Pac-10 Championships where she ran 4:18.57 -- and come within two tenths of a second of breaking the Island's 800m mark, Couper could not be going into the meet in better form.

She will be running in both the 1500m and 800m, having met the qualifying time for both events in recent outings.

Her Pac-10 1500 metres finish places her fifth among the USA's collegiate runners and seventh in Stanford's all-time record list.

In the 800m she clocked 2:05.82 -- 12th among collegiate runners and number four in the history of Stanford.

"I had my last really hard workout on Saturday and I did some fast stuff on the track on Monday,'' said Couper from her west coast base. "Other than that it has just been maintenance runs.'' Couper said she felt confident in her ability.

"I'm feeling pretty good. I'm really excited about getting this far and going to Eugene,'' she said. "But I really want to try and stay calm and relaxed. I run my best that way.'' Couper has to make it through the opening rounds before she can have a stab at the grand prize. "In terms of my race I really want to make it to the finals on Thursday and then on Saturday I will run like I have been running all my races,'' she said. "I will try to stay near the front of the pack and kick at the end.'' Couper, who will be watched by her parents, sister and boyfriend, is among a record 10 Stanford Cardinal women who have qualified for the NCAAs.

Ashley Couper: Competing in this week's NCAA Champs.