(5-28-10) By Chris Lotsbom, (c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
Here is our 3000m steeplechase preview for the NCAA Regionals, our final in this series.
MEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
The top returner is Butler University senior Stephen Lisgo. Lisgo, a Briton, is the Horizon League champion in the event, and is coming off of a third place finish at NCAA's last year. He has the third fastest seasonal time in the field, 8:46.35, and a career best of 8:35.49. The fastest seasonal time belongs to Louisville junior Matt Hughes. The Big East Conference champion, Hughes has not lost a steeplechase race all year, and has a season's best of 8:41.98. Also in the race is the Big Ten Conference champion, De'Sean Turner of Indiana. Turner is tied with Ole Miss athlete Barnabas Kirui for the second-fastest time in the field. Others to watch include Kenyans Evans Kigen (JR, Liberty) and Martin Kirui (SR, Ole Miss).
WESTERN REGIONAL -
In the West, the favorite coming in is Iowa State junior Hillary Bor. The Kenyan finished second last year and fourth in 2008 at the NCAA Championships. This year, Bor looks like the man to beat. He won the Big Twelve title, and has the fastest time of all collegians in the steeple this year: 8:38.05. Also returning from last year's NCAA Championship final is BYU senior Richard Nelson (seasonal best of 8:43.27), Texas Tech junior Gilbert Limo (8:42.99), and Wisconsin senior Ryan Gasper (8:42.88). Nelson placed 10th, Limo 13th, and Gasper 14th in 2009, and are all looking to improve upon those finishes. Challenging them will be Cal's Steve Sodaro, a junior who has the third fastest start time in the field (8:40.60).
WOMEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
The big favorite in this region for the women is Penn State's Bridget Franek. The senior has run well at NCAA's before (she was fourth last year). This year, Franek has won the Penn State Open and Big Ten Championship, setting a season best of 9:48.28. Looking at seed times, Franek has nearly a ten second advantage on the rest of the field, she will have to deal with a few contenders who could spoil her day at regionals. A pair of juniors in Ashley Higginson (Princeton) and Sarah Pease (Indiana) could be factors in the race. Higginson won the ECAC title, while Pease placed second at the Big Ten Championship behind Franek. Their season's best times are 9:57.50 and 9:59.16, respectively. Making her debut at NCAA Outdoors will be Providence freshman Shelby Greany, the reigning USA junior cross country champion. The Big East Championship winner, Greany won two of her three steeplechase races this year, only finishing behind Higginson at ECAC's. She has a season's best time of 10:08.66. Also watch out for Syracuse's Heather Stephens and Rebekah MacKay, as well as South Carolina's Beatrice Biwott.
WESTERN REGIONAL -
With Jenny Barringer out of the collegiate ranks, it is time for another steeplechaser to step up in the West. There are a handful of contenders who could be the next Barringer, but no one woman stands out from the rest. The top returner from last year's NCAA Championship is Washington's Mel Lawrence, who placed third a year ago. Lawrence has only run one steeplechase this year, a 10:20.79 effort to place third at the PAC-10 Championships. Her time only places her 13th in the region, but look for her to improve upon the time this weekend. Winning the PAC-10 Championship was Colorado sophomore Emma Coburn, who also has the fastest time in the field, and the only sub-10:00 in the region: 9:56.29. She will try to follow in former Buffalo Barringer's footsteps and make it to the national meet and take the NCAA title home to Boulder. Erin Bedell of Baylor will also be contending for top regional honors. The senior placed sixth last year, and has the fourth fastest time in the West this year (10:03.81). The second fastest time in the field belongs to Kristen Hemphill, a senior out of Colorado State (10:02.59). Oregon's Claire Michel and SMU's Silje Fjortoft, both juniors, will aim to return to nationals for the second consecutive year.
NCAA Regionals Event Preview - 5000M
(5-27-10) By Chris Lotsbom, (c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
As we continue to our previews of this weekend's NCAA regional championships, we turn to the longest events today, starting with the 5000m.
MEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
The big favorite is Sam Chelanga of Liberty University. The junior from Kenya looks to be in top form, judging from his 27:08.39 collegiate record 10,000m at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational earlier this month. Chelanga only ran one 5000m this spring, a 13:54.82 win at the IC4A Championships. The 25 year-old will look to improve upon his second place finish at NCAA Indoors earlier this year, where he narrowly lost in the 5000m to Northern Arizona's David McNeill. Chelanga will also run the 10,000m. Joining him in the field will be a large contingent of contenders from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Florida State sophomore Matthew Leeder has run 14:04.18 this year. The young Canadian has plenty of national experience behind him, as he finished sixteenth at NCAA Outdoors last year in the 5000m, and tenth in the 3000m at NCAA Indoors this year. From Virginia Tech is sophomore William Mulherin, who won the ACC 5000m title this year. Also on the line will be Virginia junior Ryan Collins. Placing second in the 10,000m at the ACC Championships, Collins is aiming to improve upon his 11th place finish in the 5000m at NCAA Indoors this year. Freshman Ryan Hill out of NC State is also from the ACC, and has the second fastest time of the field (13:44.36). Others to keep an eye out for are Ben Cheruiyot of Auburn, Andrew Bumbalough of Georgetown, and Andrew Poore of Indiana, all of whom have top-5 seasonal times coming in. Finally, Jean-Pierre Weerts, the top returner in the East from last year's NCAA Outdoor Championship 5000m, will also be in the meet.
WESTERN REGIONAL -
Topping the West Regional list is Northern Arizona junior David McNeill, the NCAA Indoor 5000m Champion and runner-up at NCAA Outdoors last year. McNeill has the best collegiate time in the nation this year, 13:25.63, and will likely need to run a time close to that to defeat the rest of the field. From Stanford will be Elliott Heath, Chris Derrick, and Jake Riley. Derrick and Heath finished one-two at the PAC-10 Championships, while Riley placed fifth. Derrick, who was plagued by injuries during the indoor season, seems to be healthy and firing on all cylinders. Also from the PAC-10 is Arizona State's Brandon Bethke, who has a personal best of 13:27.79. When talking about the Pac-10, how could anyone not mention the Oregon Ducks? In the 5000m, they have four athletes competing: Jordan McNamara, A.J. Acosta, Michael Maag, and Luke Puskedra. McNamara and Acosta have had the greater success this year out of the bunch, but Maag and Puskedra have shown flashes of greatness, too. Maag placed tenth in the 5000m last year at NCAA Outdoors while at Princeton, and Puskedra had an above average freshman year one year ago. Other athletes who could make an impact in the 5000m include Oklahoma State's Colby Lowe, Cal's Michael Coe, and TCU's Festus Kigen.
WOMEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
West Virginia's Marie Louise Asselin is the top 5000m competitor in the East, based on her second place finish at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships where she was only beaten by Iowa star Lisa Koll. Asselin is coming off of a win at the Big East Championships, but if she wants to make a splash at the national level, she will likely have to run faster than her season best of 16:31.04 (she is 29th on the start list, but has only run one 5000m race this season). Tennessee's Jackie Areson has the best time in the field, a 15:51.56 run at the Stanford Invitational. Areson was the SEC Champion in the 5000m. Making her return after a brief hiatus is North Carolina's Brie Felnagle. The 2007 NCAA Outdoor 1500m champion is now a national contender in the 5000m, as she has run 15:55.29 this year, good for second on the start list. Also in the field is Western Kentucky's Janet Jesang, who will be aiming to improve upon her fifth place finish from NCAA Outdoors a year ago. Stony Brook's Holly Van Dalen and Wake Forest's Anna Nosenko have both finished in the top fifteen at NCAA Championships before, and will be toeing the line for the 5000m in Greensboro this weekend.
WESTERN REGIONAL -
With six women in the West having run under sixteen minutes this year, competition will be strong. Leading the charge is senior Lisa Koll of Iowa. This year's NCAA Indoor champ has had an outdoor season for the record books, winning both the 5000m and 10,000m Big 12 Conference titles, as well as placing fourth at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational. In the 10,000m, Koll won the Stanford Invitational in a collegiate record time of 31:18.07. Koll's season best in the 5000m, 15:17.76, is nearly twenty seconds ahead of the next fastest competitor, NCAA Cross Country champion Angela Bizzarri of Illinois. Bizzarri is the defending NCAA Outdoor champion in the 5000m, as she ran 16:17.94 to capture the title last year. This year, she has a season best of 15:37.21, while taking home the Big Ten Conference titles in both the 1500m and 5000m. It likely will be a two person duel between Koll and Bizzarri for the top spot at regionals, as well as at nationals. But of course, there are twelve spots to be filled out in the region for each event. Contending will be Oregon's tandem of Alex Kosinski and Nicole Blood. Blood was the PAC-10 champion, while Kosinski was runner up by only .10 of a second. Others that will likely earn spots for nationals include Kansas State's Beverly Ramos, New Mexico's Ruth Senior, Texas Tech's Caroline Karunde, and Texas's Mia Behm. All of these women have run 16:00.00 or better (Behm hit the mark on the nose at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational earlier this month).
As we continue to our previews of this weekend's NCAA regional championships, we turn to the longest events today, starting with the 5000m.
MEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
The big favorite is Sam Chelanga of Liberty University. The junior from Kenya looks to be in top form, judging from his 27:08.39 collegiate record 10,000m at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational earlier this month. Chelanga only ran one 5000m this spring, a 13:54.82 win at the IC4A Championships. The 25 year-old will look to improve upon his second place finish at NCAA Indoors earlier this year, where he narrowly lost in the 5000m to Northern Arizona's David McNeill. Chelanga will also run the 10,000m. Joining him in the field will be a large contingent of contenders from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Florida State sophomore Matthew Leeder has run 14:04.18 this year. The young Canadian has plenty of national experience behind him, as he finished sixteenth at NCAA Outdoors last year in the 5000m, and tenth in the 3000m at NCAA Indoors this year. From Virginia Tech is sophomore William Mulherin, who won the ACC 5000m title this year. Also on the line will be Virginia junior Ryan Collins. Placing second in the 10,000m at the ACC Championships, Collins is aiming to improve upon his 11th place finish in the 5000m at NCAA Indoors this year. Freshman Ryan Hill out of NC State is also from the ACC, and has the second fastest time of the field (13:44.36). Others to keep an eye out for are Ben Cheruiyot of Auburn, Andrew Bumbalough of Georgetown, and Andrew Poore of Indiana, all of whom have top-5 seasonal times coming in. Finally, Jean-Pierre Weerts, the top returner in the East from last year's NCAA Outdoor Championship 5000m, will also be in the meet.
WESTERN REGIONAL -
Topping the West Regional list is Northern Arizona junior David McNeill, the NCAA Indoor 5000m Champion and runner-up at NCAA Outdoors last year. McNeill has the best collegiate time in the nation this year, 13:25.63, and will likely need to run a time close to that to defeat the rest of the field. From Stanford will be Elliott Heath, Chris Derrick, and Jake Riley. Derrick and Heath finished one-two at the PAC-10 Championships, while Riley placed fifth. Derrick, who was plagued by injuries during the indoor season, seems to be healthy and firing on all cylinders. Also from the PAC-10 is Arizona State's Brandon Bethke, who has a personal best of 13:27.79. When talking about the Pac-10, how could anyone not mention the Oregon Ducks? In the 5000m, they have four athletes competing: Jordan McNamara, A.J. Acosta, Michael Maag, and Luke Puskedra. McNamara and Acosta have had the greater success this year out of the bunch, but Maag and Puskedra have shown flashes of greatness, too. Maag placed tenth in the 5000m last year at NCAA Outdoors while at Princeton, and Puskedra had an above average freshman year one year ago. Other athletes who could make an impact in the 5000m include Oklahoma State's Colby Lowe, Cal's Michael Coe, and TCU's Festus Kigen.
WOMEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
West Virginia's Marie Louise Asselin is the top 5000m competitor in the East, based on her second place finish at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships where she was only beaten by Iowa star Lisa Koll. Asselin is coming off of a win at the Big East Championships, but if she wants to make a splash at the national level, she will likely have to run faster than her season best of 16:31.04 (she is 29th on the start list, but has only run one 5000m race this season). Tennessee's Jackie Areson has the best time in the field, a 15:51.56 run at the Stanford Invitational. Areson was the SEC Champion in the 5000m. Making her return after a brief hiatus is North Carolina's Brie Felnagle. The 2007 NCAA Outdoor 1500m champion is now a national contender in the 5000m, as she has run 15:55.29 this year, good for second on the start list. Also in the field is Western Kentucky's Janet Jesang, who will be aiming to improve upon her fifth place finish from NCAA Outdoors a year ago. Stony Brook's Holly Van Dalen and Wake Forest's Anna Nosenko have both finished in the top fifteen at NCAA Championships before, and will be toeing the line for the 5000m in Greensboro this weekend.
WESTERN REGIONAL -
With six women in the West having run under sixteen minutes this year, competition will be strong. Leading the charge is senior Lisa Koll of Iowa. This year's NCAA Indoor champ has had an outdoor season for the record books, winning both the 5000m and 10,000m Big 12 Conference titles, as well as placing fourth at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational. In the 10,000m, Koll won the Stanford Invitational in a collegiate record time of 31:18.07. Koll's season best in the 5000m, 15:17.76, is nearly twenty seconds ahead of the next fastest competitor, NCAA Cross Country champion Angela Bizzarri of Illinois. Bizzarri is the defending NCAA Outdoor champion in the 5000m, as she ran 16:17.94 to capture the title last year. This year, she has a season best of 15:37.21, while taking home the Big Ten Conference titles in both the 1500m and 5000m. It likely will be a two person duel between Koll and Bizzarri for the top spot at regionals, as well as at nationals. But of course, there are twelve spots to be filled out in the region for each event. Contending will be Oregon's tandem of Alex Kosinski and Nicole Blood. Blood was the PAC-10 champion, while Kosinski was runner up by only .10 of a second. Others that will likely earn spots for nationals include Kansas State's Beverly Ramos, New Mexico's Ruth Senior, Texas Tech's Caroline Karunde, and Texas's Mia Behm. All of these women have run 16:00.00 or better (Behm hit the mark on the nose at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational earlier this month).
NCAA Regionals Event Preview - 1500M
(5-27-10) By Chris Lotsbom, (c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
This weekend's NCAA Regionals should feature noteworthy contests in the 1500m. Here is our exclusive preview:
MEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
In the Eastern Region, the 1500m is up for grabs with any one of a handful of competitors able to take the top spot. Entering the Regional with the top time is Felix Kiboiywo, a senior out of Auburn with a time of 3:40.50. The SEC Champion in the 1500m, Kiboiywo is looking to improve upon his appearance at last year's NCAA Championships, where he was unable to advance out of the preliminary round. University of Maine sophomore Riley Masters, the first sub-4 miler in school history, could pose a threat to Kiboiywo. Although he has only run three 1500m races this outdoor season, Masters has the experience of a fifth place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships behind him. Finishing one place behind him at NCAA Indoors was Ohio State's Jeff See. See, a senior, also has experience to his advantage; he placed eighth at last year's NCAA Outdoor Championships in addition to his sixth place finish at this year's indoor championships in the mile. It will be interesting to see how See responds after finishing fourth at the Big Ten Championship earlier this spring. Other names to look out for are Columbia's sub-4 minute miler Kyle Merber, and Providence's trio of Dominic Channon (SO, 3:42.25), Julian Matthews (SO, 3:43.95), and Hayden McLaren (SR, 3:43.95).
WESTERN REGIONAL -
On paper, it looks like the West has a big advantage in depth at this distance. Four athletes have gone sub 3:41, whereas only one athlete has done so in the East (Kiboiywo). Leading the group is 2010 NCAA Indoor mile champ Lee Emanuel of New Mexico. A senior from Great Britain, Emanuel has the second-fastest time of the field (3:38.79), which was run at the Oregon Relays in late April. More recently, Emanuel won the Mountain West Conference Championship 1500m, while also placing second in the 800m. Joining Emanuel will be Olympian Andrew Wheating (Oregon), who is entered in both the 800m and 1500m. Wheating beat Emanuel at the Oregon Relays with a ferocious kick in the last 100 meters, where he ran his qualifying time of 3:37.83, the fastest time of all collegians this year. Wheating has seemed to focus mostly on the 800m; he has he only ran one 1500m this year. Will doubling at Regionals impact his chances? Only time will tell, but my best guess is no. He doubled at Penn Relays (anchoring the 4x800m and distance medley relay) and looked great, so judging from the past, he will be fine. Fellow Ducks A.J. Acosta (3:39.44), Matt Centrowitz (3:41.16), and Mac Fleet (3:42.11) are also entered, and all have seemed to be in top shape recently. Freshman sensation Fleet placed second at the NCAA Indoor Championships earlier this year, while Acosta finished two spots behind in fourth. Centrowitz has won the PAC-10 Championship, Pepsi Team Challenge, and Oregon Preview meets all this spring. Any one of these 'Men of Oregon' can take the win at Regionals. Also in the mix will be Dylan Ferris (SO, Stanford), Eric Harasyn (JR, Oklahoma), Abdi Hassan (SO, Arizona), and Craig Miller (JR, Wisconsin), all who have made it to the final round of the NCAA National Championship meets in either the 1500m or mile.
WOMEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
The Eastern Region is led by Florida senior Charlotte Browning, a Briton. The SEC and NCAA Indoor Champion in the 1500m and mile, respectively, Browning has proven that she is a big meet runner. With a time of 4:13.96, Browning tops the start list for the East, but is closely followed by Florida State senior Pilar McShine. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, McShine has won the ACC 1500m title for two straight years now, and is looking to close out her career on top with a national title. If she wins, Florida State would have captured the Outdoor 1500m title for three straight years, as Hannah England and Susan Kuijken have won the past two NCAA Outdoor titles. Like Browning, McShine is coming off of a successful indoor campaign, as she placed third at NCAA Indoors. Other athletes who have national experience and could be threats include Lucy Van Dalen (JR, Stony Brook/NZL), Keri Bland (JR, West Virginia), Dina Nosenko (SO, Wake Forest), and Heidi Gregson (SO, Iona).
WESTERN REGIONAL -
Like on the men's side, the West Region seems to have the advantage on the women's side, too. Five athletes have recorded times under 4:16. Washington's Katie Follett is the favorite coming in --she finished second at the PAC-10 Championship, and is coming off of a third place finish at NCAA Indoors. With the fastest collegiate time this year by over two seconds, Follett will be tough to stop. The top returner from the NCAA Outdoor Championship last year is UC Riverside's Brenda Martinez, who finished second to Kuijken in Fayettville one year ago. Martinez has run three 1500m races this year, and has a season best of 4:19.66. With such a deep field, Martinez will likely have to run faster than that to make the NCAA Championship. Similar to the men, Oregon has a handful of contenders in the women's 1500m. Zoe Buckman, Jordan Hasay, and Alex Kosinski all have the ability to take the race. Buckman leads the group with a time of 4:12.80, and is also coming off a PAC-10 Championships victory. Freshman Hasay, though, had the best finish of the bunch at the Indoor Championships earlier this year, placing fourth in the mile. Oregon assistant athletic director Vin Lananna certainly has a squad which can sweep the top three spots at regionals and/or nationals. Also in the field is Oklahoma State's Mihaela Susa, who finished fifth at NCAA Indoor's.
This weekend's NCAA Regionals should feature noteworthy contests in the 1500m. Here is our exclusive preview:
MEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
In the Eastern Region, the 1500m is up for grabs with any one of a handful of competitors able to take the top spot. Entering the Regional with the top time is Felix Kiboiywo, a senior out of Auburn with a time of 3:40.50. The SEC Champion in the 1500m, Kiboiywo is looking to improve upon his appearance at last year's NCAA Championships, where he was unable to advance out of the preliminary round. University of Maine sophomore Riley Masters, the first sub-4 miler in school history, could pose a threat to Kiboiywo. Although he has only run three 1500m races this outdoor season, Masters has the experience of a fifth place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships behind him. Finishing one place behind him at NCAA Indoors was Ohio State's Jeff See. See, a senior, also has experience to his advantage; he placed eighth at last year's NCAA Outdoor Championships in addition to his sixth place finish at this year's indoor championships in the mile. It will be interesting to see how See responds after finishing fourth at the Big Ten Championship earlier this spring. Other names to look out for are Columbia's sub-4 minute miler Kyle Merber, and Providence's trio of Dominic Channon (SO, 3:42.25), Julian Matthews (SO, 3:43.95), and Hayden McLaren (SR, 3:43.95).
WESTERN REGIONAL -
On paper, it looks like the West has a big advantage in depth at this distance. Four athletes have gone sub 3:41, whereas only one athlete has done so in the East (Kiboiywo). Leading the group is 2010 NCAA Indoor mile champ Lee Emanuel of New Mexico. A senior from Great Britain, Emanuel has the second-fastest time of the field (3:38.79), which was run at the Oregon Relays in late April. More recently, Emanuel won the Mountain West Conference Championship 1500m, while also placing second in the 800m. Joining Emanuel will be Olympian Andrew Wheating (Oregon), who is entered in both the 800m and 1500m. Wheating beat Emanuel at the Oregon Relays with a ferocious kick in the last 100 meters, where he ran his qualifying time of 3:37.83, the fastest time of all collegians this year. Wheating has seemed to focus mostly on the 800m; he has he only ran one 1500m this year. Will doubling at Regionals impact his chances? Only time will tell, but my best guess is no. He doubled at Penn Relays (anchoring the 4x800m and distance medley relay) and looked great, so judging from the past, he will be fine. Fellow Ducks A.J. Acosta (3:39.44), Matt Centrowitz (3:41.16), and Mac Fleet (3:42.11) are also entered, and all have seemed to be in top shape recently. Freshman sensation Fleet placed second at the NCAA Indoor Championships earlier this year, while Acosta finished two spots behind in fourth. Centrowitz has won the PAC-10 Championship, Pepsi Team Challenge, and Oregon Preview meets all this spring. Any one of these 'Men of Oregon' can take the win at Regionals. Also in the mix will be Dylan Ferris (SO, Stanford), Eric Harasyn (JR, Oklahoma), Abdi Hassan (SO, Arizona), and Craig Miller (JR, Wisconsin), all who have made it to the final round of the NCAA National Championship meets in either the 1500m or mile.
WOMEN -
EASTERN REGIONAL -
The Eastern Region is led by Florida senior Charlotte Browning, a Briton. The SEC and NCAA Indoor Champion in the 1500m and mile, respectively, Browning has proven that she is a big meet runner. With a time of 4:13.96, Browning tops the start list for the East, but is closely followed by Florida State senior Pilar McShine. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, McShine has won the ACC 1500m title for two straight years now, and is looking to close out her career on top with a national title. If she wins, Florida State would have captured the Outdoor 1500m title for three straight years, as Hannah England and Susan Kuijken have won the past two NCAA Outdoor titles. Like Browning, McShine is coming off of a successful indoor campaign, as she placed third at NCAA Indoors. Other athletes who have national experience and could be threats include Lucy Van Dalen (JR, Stony Brook/NZL), Keri Bland (JR, West Virginia), Dina Nosenko (SO, Wake Forest), and Heidi Gregson (SO, Iona).
WESTERN REGIONAL -
Like on the men's side, the West Region seems to have the advantage on the women's side, too. Five athletes have recorded times under 4:16. Washington's Katie Follett is the favorite coming in --she finished second at the PAC-10 Championship, and is coming off of a third place finish at NCAA Indoors. With the fastest collegiate time this year by over two seconds, Follett will be tough to stop. The top returner from the NCAA Outdoor Championship last year is UC Riverside's Brenda Martinez, who finished second to Kuijken in Fayettville one year ago. Martinez has run three 1500m races this year, and has a season best of 4:19.66. With such a deep field, Martinez will likely have to run faster than that to make the NCAA Championship. Similar to the men, Oregon has a handful of contenders in the women's 1500m. Zoe Buckman, Jordan Hasay, and Alex Kosinski all have the ability to take the race. Buckman leads the group with a time of 4:12.80, and is also coming off a PAC-10 Championships victory. Freshman Hasay, though, had the best finish of the bunch at the Indoor Championships earlier this year, placing fourth in the mile. Oregon assistant athletic director Vin Lananna certainly has a squad which can sweep the top three spots at regionals and/or nationals. Also in the field is Oklahoma State's Mihaela Susa, who finished fifth at NCAA Indoor's.
NCAA Regionals Event Preview - 800M
(5-27-10) By Chris Lotsbom, (c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
The NCAA Division I Regional meets will be held this weekend. For the first time, there will be just two regions (instead of four): East and West. Here is a preview of the men's and women's 800m events:
MEN -
800m EASTERN REGIONAL -
In the 800m, it is the year of the freshmen. More than any other year, freshmen have seemed to dominate the half mile distance this season, and it all starts with Virginia's Robby Andrews. Andrews, originally from New Jersey, has proven he has the racing skills needed to take home an outdoor national title. At the NCAA Indoor Championship, Andrews outkicked Oregon star Andrew Wheating to win by .01 of a second, earning his first national title. Then, at the Penn Relays, Andrews proved that his kick was indeed not a fluke, running a 1:47.78 split to help his team win the 4 x 800m Championship of America race and, again, just getting Wheating at the line. Coached by Jason Vigilante, Andrews has run 1:47.73 outdoors, placing him sixth on the all-time list at Virginia. Although he does not have the fastest time coming into the meet (he is seventh-fastest), he will certainly be the one to watch.
Penn State's Cas Loxsom, also a freshman, owns the fastest time of the field and is one of only two runners in the East to go under 1:47. Running 1:46.74, Loxsom's season has included wins at the Big Ten Championship and at Stanford's Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational. Joining him from Penn State will be juniors Ryan Foster (1:47.78), Owen Dawson (1:48.85), and Lionel Williams (1:49.07). Foster, an Australian, has focused mainly on the 1500m this spring, but did place third in the 800m at the NCAA Indoor Championship. Other athletes in the field to watch out for are LSU's Richard Jones (1:46.81) and Notre Dame's Jack Howard (1:49.52), both of whom placed in the top-seven at NCAA Indoor Nationals this year.
800m WESTERN REGIONAL -
The West's 800m field is highlighted by Olympian and defending NCAA Outdoor Champion Andrew Wheating of Oregon. Wheating is coming off impressive performances at the Penn Relays and PAC-10 Championships. At Penn, he anchored Oregon's winning distance medley relay team running 3:59.84, and got edged at the line in the 4 x 800 by Virginia's Robby Andrews, despite running a 1:47.78 split. Wheating is the fourth-fastest in the field, with a time of 1:47.71, though his personal best outdoors is 1:45.03. Wheating should easily advance to the NCAA Championships, barring a disaster. Two men in the West have ran sub 1:47- UCLA's Cory Primm (1:46.93) and Irvine's Charles Jock (1:46.93). The top returner from last year's National Championship aside from Wheating is Chris Gowell, a Senior at Baylor who placed fourth in 2009.
WOMEN -
800m EASTERN REGIONAL -
A group of three seniors headline the 800m in the Eastern Regional. LaTavia Thomas of LSU is the fastest in the field, and the top returner from last year's NCAA Championship. Thomas's time of 2:01.41 was achieved early in the season at LSU's Alumni Gold meet; recently she placed second at the SEC Championships. Thomas will aim to fend off Tennessee's Phoebe Wright, who was the NCAA Champion indoors. Recently named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Wright has succeeded both on and off the track. On the oval, she has helped the Lady Vols earn wins in the 4 x 800m, 4 x 1500m, and DMR at Penn Relays. The conference champion in the 800m, Wright is looking to make it two-for-two at National Championships this year. Third fastest in the field is Indiana's Molly Beckwith. The Big Ten Conference champion, Beckwith is looking to improve upon her Nationals appearance of one year ago, where she was disqualified. Also returning from last year's top ten at the NCAA Championships are juniors Brittany Hall (LSU, 2:03.76) and Dominique Jackson (UNC, 2:06.16).
800m WESTERN REGIONAL -
Although on paper it seems like the Eastern Region has all of the 800m leaders, the West has some big names looking to take the top spots at Nationals. Leading the group is BYU sophomore Lacey Cramer. Boasting a season best of 2:03.89, Cramer has won the Mountain West Conference title, and placed second at the Stanford Invitational. Alongside Cramer all season has been BYU teammate Angela Wagner. Wagner, a senior from South Africa, placed second to Cramer at the Conference Championships, and is seeded with a time of 2:04.16. Returning from a sixth place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championship will be Stephanie Brown of Arkansas. Often overshadowed in the SEC by bigger names like Thomas and Wright, this freshman has the ability to get on the podium. Also in contention will be a slew of Oregon Ducks, led by freshman Anne Kesselring. Kesselring, from Germany, has won the Pac-10 Championship and Pepsi Team Challenge this year already, and is looking to add a national championship to her accomplishments. Joining her will be freshman Becca Friday and Chloe Steinbeck.
The NCAA Division I Regional meets will be held this weekend. For the first time, there will be just two regions (instead of four): East and West. Here is a preview of the men's and women's 800m events:
MEN -
800m EASTERN REGIONAL -
In the 800m, it is the year of the freshmen. More than any other year, freshmen have seemed to dominate the half mile distance this season, and it all starts with Virginia's Robby Andrews. Andrews, originally from New Jersey, has proven he has the racing skills needed to take home an outdoor national title. At the NCAA Indoor Championship, Andrews outkicked Oregon star Andrew Wheating to win by .01 of a second, earning his first national title. Then, at the Penn Relays, Andrews proved that his kick was indeed not a fluke, running a 1:47.78 split to help his team win the 4 x 800m Championship of America race and, again, just getting Wheating at the line. Coached by Jason Vigilante, Andrews has run 1:47.73 outdoors, placing him sixth on the all-time list at Virginia. Although he does not have the fastest time coming into the meet (he is seventh-fastest), he will certainly be the one to watch.
Penn State's Cas Loxsom, also a freshman, owns the fastest time of the field and is one of only two runners in the East to go under 1:47. Running 1:46.74, Loxsom's season has included wins at the Big Ten Championship and at Stanford's Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational. Joining him from Penn State will be juniors Ryan Foster (1:47.78), Owen Dawson (1:48.85), and Lionel Williams (1:49.07). Foster, an Australian, has focused mainly on the 1500m this spring, but did place third in the 800m at the NCAA Indoor Championship. Other athletes in the field to watch out for are LSU's Richard Jones (1:46.81) and Notre Dame's Jack Howard (1:49.52), both of whom placed in the top-seven at NCAA Indoor Nationals this year.
800m WESTERN REGIONAL -
The West's 800m field is highlighted by Olympian and defending NCAA Outdoor Champion Andrew Wheating of Oregon. Wheating is coming off impressive performances at the Penn Relays and PAC-10 Championships. At Penn, he anchored Oregon's winning distance medley relay team running 3:59.84, and got edged at the line in the 4 x 800 by Virginia's Robby Andrews, despite running a 1:47.78 split. Wheating is the fourth-fastest in the field, with a time of 1:47.71, though his personal best outdoors is 1:45.03. Wheating should easily advance to the NCAA Championships, barring a disaster. Two men in the West have ran sub 1:47- UCLA's Cory Primm (1:46.93) and Irvine's Charles Jock (1:46.93). The top returner from last year's National Championship aside from Wheating is Chris Gowell, a Senior at Baylor who placed fourth in 2009.
WOMEN -
800m EASTERN REGIONAL -
A group of three seniors headline the 800m in the Eastern Regional. LaTavia Thomas of LSU is the fastest in the field, and the top returner from last year's NCAA Championship. Thomas's time of 2:01.41 was achieved early in the season at LSU's Alumni Gold meet; recently she placed second at the SEC Championships. Thomas will aim to fend off Tennessee's Phoebe Wright, who was the NCAA Champion indoors. Recently named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Wright has succeeded both on and off the track. On the oval, she has helped the Lady Vols earn wins in the 4 x 800m, 4 x 1500m, and DMR at Penn Relays. The conference champion in the 800m, Wright is looking to make it two-for-two at National Championships this year. Third fastest in the field is Indiana's Molly Beckwith. The Big Ten Conference champion, Beckwith is looking to improve upon her Nationals appearance of one year ago, where she was disqualified. Also returning from last year's top ten at the NCAA Championships are juniors Brittany Hall (LSU, 2:03.76) and Dominique Jackson (UNC, 2:06.16).
800m WESTERN REGIONAL -
Although on paper it seems like the Eastern Region has all of the 800m leaders, the West has some big names looking to take the top spots at Nationals. Leading the group is BYU sophomore Lacey Cramer. Boasting a season best of 2:03.89, Cramer has won the Mountain West Conference title, and placed second at the Stanford Invitational. Alongside Cramer all season has been BYU teammate Angela Wagner. Wagner, a senior from South Africa, placed second to Cramer at the Conference Championships, and is seeded with a time of 2:04.16. Returning from a sixth place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championship will be Stephanie Brown of Arkansas. Often overshadowed in the SEC by bigger names like Thomas and Wright, this freshman has the ability to get on the podium. Also in contention will be a slew of Oregon Ducks, led by freshman Anne Kesselring. Kesselring, from Germany, has won the Pac-10 Championship and Pepsi Team Challenge this year already, and is looking to add a national championship to her accomplishments. Joining her will be freshman Becca Friday and Chloe Steinbeck.
USA Cycling’s Athlete Development Camp Returns to the Northwest
(5-25-10) From Press Release - This summer USA Cycling is hosting a camp designed for riders aged 14-22 years old at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. The Northwest camp is one of ten USA Cycling Athlete Development Camps nationwide and is set to take place August 1-6.
“Riders attending this camp have a fantastic opportunity to learn from the best coaches and expert staff,” says Jim Anderson, Camp Manager. “This camp is designed to give riders a chance to improve skills, learn new training techniques and jump to that next level of competitive cycling”.
The camp will consist of unique opportunities for younger riders to learn the fundamentals of bike racing. Basic bike and training skills, nutrition, basic bike mechanics, and nutrition will be amongst the instruction topics.
A presentation on racing as a junior in Europe will also be offered. As with any cycling camp, we will be riding! We have some great rides scheduled.
Rides will be in around the Washington County, which has some of the best bike cycling in the north valley!
Riders participating in the camp will be overseen by some of most experience coaches in the United States. The staff includes professional coaches who specialize in working with younger athletes and in giving them the skills and confidence to become great riders.
This camp is a great step into the national level. In June the USA Cycling Junior, U23 (19-23yr old), Elite Road National Championships will take place in Bend, Ore. These two opportunities are fantastic ways for younger riders to get noticed.
Oregon riders in the past few years have participated in similar camps in other states. These riders have gone on to represent the United States in Junior World Championship events, and other international junior events in Europe and Canada. The top-two athletes in each camp will be nominated by the USA Cycling Athlete Development Camp coaching staff to attend the USA Cycling National Talent Identification Camp at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Although this does not guarantee an invitation to the National Talent Identification Camp, it does ensure that a rider is on the right path to advancing through the USA Cycling Pipeline.
Further, many of the camps will be selecting riders to participate as regional teams in national or international races.
The camp is designed for Female and Male cyclists, ages 14-22 years old with some racing experience. The camp will be based on the beautiful campus of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 1-6, 2010. Costs for the camp are $750.00 for the week, which includes room, board and all instructional fees. All riders need to be current USA Cycling members. For more information see website: www.nwcyclingcamp.com and for more information about USA Cycling Junior Programs: www.usacycling.org/juniors
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 66,500+ licensees; 2,200 clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,650 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org
“Riders attending this camp have a fantastic opportunity to learn from the best coaches and expert staff,” says Jim Anderson, Camp Manager. “This camp is designed to give riders a chance to improve skills, learn new training techniques and jump to that next level of competitive cycling”.
The camp will consist of unique opportunities for younger riders to learn the fundamentals of bike racing. Basic bike and training skills, nutrition, basic bike mechanics, and nutrition will be amongst the instruction topics.
A presentation on racing as a junior in Europe will also be offered. As with any cycling camp, we will be riding! We have some great rides scheduled.
Rides will be in around the Washington County, which has some of the best bike cycling in the north valley!
Riders participating in the camp will be overseen by some of most experience coaches in the United States. The staff includes professional coaches who specialize in working with younger athletes and in giving them the skills and confidence to become great riders.
This camp is a great step into the national level. In June the USA Cycling Junior, U23 (19-23yr old), Elite Road National Championships will take place in Bend, Ore. These two opportunities are fantastic ways for younger riders to get noticed.
Oregon riders in the past few years have participated in similar camps in other states. These riders have gone on to represent the United States in Junior World Championship events, and other international junior events in Europe and Canada. The top-two athletes in each camp will be nominated by the USA Cycling Athlete Development Camp coaching staff to attend the USA Cycling National Talent Identification Camp at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Although this does not guarantee an invitation to the National Talent Identification Camp, it does ensure that a rider is on the right path to advancing through the USA Cycling Pipeline.
Further, many of the camps will be selecting riders to participate as regional teams in national or international races.
The camp is designed for Female and Male cyclists, ages 14-22 years old with some racing experience. The camp will be based on the beautiful campus of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 1-6, 2010. Costs for the camp are $750.00 for the week, which includes room, board and all instructional fees. All riders need to be current USA Cycling members. For more information see website: www.nwcyclingcamp.com and for more information about USA Cycling Junior Programs: www.usacycling.org/juniors
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 66,500+ licensees; 2,200 clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,650 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org
Solo Runner Eric Salkeld to Run 216.6 Miles To Honor His Student Levi
(5-17-10) By Teri Smith - Eric Salkeld is looking to make Cascade Lakes Relay history. If all goes as planned, he will be the first solo runner to cover the entire 216 miles... alone. He'll be facing the heat, the dust, the hills and the bugs without the benefit of a teammate to hand off to when the going gets rough. He has no illusions about what he's going to do this summer, because he's been there before. You may remember Salkeld from last year’s Hood to Coast relay. He ran the course without a team, starting Thursday morning and finishing on an empty beach Sunday evening. (Read more HERE) There was no fanfare or even recognition from the race officials; in fact, the organization had turned down his request to run it as a team of one. He ran it completely on his own.
Eric at the 2009 Hood to Coast
"I had trained for it," he explains, "so I decided to run it anyway." No one knew he was out there running – there were no special cheers or words of encouragement from the other teams. The race was tough for Salkeld. The night before he ran, his main crew member had a business emergency, so Salkeld got little sleep before the start. The next morning, his friend dropped him off at Timberline Lodge and had to leave. Salkeld was on his own. He laughs as he remembers going in to the Sandy Fred Meyer and buying supplies, which he proceeded to carry with him in plastic bags.
Salkeld will be more prepared for the Cascade Lakes Relay, which is welcoming him with open arms.
"We are extremely excited to support Eric in his effort to raise awareness and charitable contributions for Levi and the Childrens Cancer Association while running the entire 216 mile Cascade Lakes Relay course. Eric is an inspiration to us all and we look forward to celebrating his accomplishment," says Scott Douglass, CLR Race Director.
Salkeld has a crew lined up that will support him for the entire distance. He knows that the course is remote – there will be no stopping in the local Fred Meyer if he runs out of food. He'll start Thursday morning around 5 am, and he’s hoping to finish by Saturday evening so he can enjoy the beer garden with the other teams. If you see him on the course, he would love to hear your words of encouragement.
While Salkeld ran last year's Hood to Coast just to see if he could do it, this year he has taken on a special cause. He is dedicating the run to one of his students, Levi, who is battling childhood leukemia. He's inspired by Levi's positive attitude, whether he’s coming in to school on his own two feet, with crutches or even in a wheelchair. Like any great teacher, Salkeld wants to give Levi something to be a part of and to look forward to. He also wants to raise money and awareness for Portland's Children’s Cancer Association, a local non-profit that supports children and their families who are dealing with cancer.
Pictured (right) Eric and Levi take a break to pose for a photo on Levi's 14th birthdaySalkeld will draw on Levi's strength when the race gets tough. "He's so positive, even with this [cancer] hanging over his head," says Eric. And Salkeld knows he'll need that strength. "I have to battle the demons that come – wanting to stop, boredom, hunger, blisters... You look at the run and see when things are crumbling around you. You figure out how to keep going," he says. Running for Levi will help him keep going even when it is rough.
Surprisingly, Salkeld does not consider himself a serious runner. He does not run 100 mile races – only this set of relays in the past three years. (He also attempted a solo run of HTC in 2008 but had to stop in Olney because of an Achilles injury.) He's run about 15 marathons. His training consists of nearly 18 miles per day, including a run commute of over 10 miles, and then a second run commute of between 6 and 8 miles to his night jobs (he works three). On the weekends, he has a 62 mile loop he likes to run that stretches from Tigard to Newberg, over Bald Peak and then back in to Portland over Burnside before returning home to Tigard. He might not consider himself a serious or inspiring runner, but to the rest of the world, what he is doing is nothing short of amazing. A lonely stretch of road He leaves me with this thought: "Every time you start a run, you think you’re good to go. But you get to that point when you wonder why you’re doing it." This July, Salkeld will probably ask himself this question many times over the course of his 216 mile journey, but this time, he’ll have the image of Levi’s face to keep him going.
If you'd like to support Eric Salkeld’s epic effort, please consider making a donation to Eric’s fundraising page for the Children’s Cancer Association. He's hoping to raise at least $3,000. Funds raised by Eric’s run will help support important programs like Chemo Pals, a mentor program that pairs compassionate adults with kids undergoing chemotherapy. Levi has benefited tremendously from this program and would like to be able to support the program for other children. The CCA also maintains a wish list; you may donate items in Eric & Levi's name.
About the Author
Teri Smith runs long from her home in Portland, Oregon. When she's not out on the roads, she can usually be found blogging about all things relay related at www.runningrelays.com.
Race Report: 2010 U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle
(5-17-10) PPP turned out to be a smashing success again this year with over 3,000 participants - a new record - skiing, biking, running and paddling their way across Central Oregon. Marshall Greene, won his fifth consecutive title, while Stephanie Howe dethroned reigning women's champ Sarah Max.
At the end of the bike leg, only two minutes separated the top three men with Greene out in front. Despite the efforts of runner-up Andrew Boone, the gap proved too large to close between the run and paddle portions of the multi-sport race.
On the women's side, Bend's Sarah Max had some technical difficulties during the paddle and was passed by XC Oregon teammate Stephanie Howe who finished less than one minute ahead. Both women trained together for the annual event, which has traditionally been dominated by individuals with a strong cross country skiing background. 2010 proved no different with Howe and Greene noted as two of the best at the discipline in the Northwest.
Teams and individuals from across the region participated in this year's event, which marked the 34th annual edition of this Northwest classic.
Complete results can be found HERE.
At the end of the bike leg, only two minutes separated the top three men with Greene out in front. Despite the efforts of runner-up Andrew Boone, the gap proved too large to close between the run and paddle portions of the multi-sport race.
On the women's side, Bend's Sarah Max had some technical difficulties during the paddle and was passed by XC Oregon teammate Stephanie Howe who finished less than one minute ahead. Both women trained together for the annual event, which has traditionally been dominated by individuals with a strong cross country skiing background. 2010 proved no different with Howe and Greene noted as two of the best at the discipline in the Northwest.
Teams and individuals from across the region participated in this year's event, which marked the 34th annual edition of this Northwest classic.
Complete results can be found HERE.
Seattle's Scott Jurek Sets American Record with Second-place Finish at World 24-hour Champs
(5-14-10) From USATF Press Release - The first American to cross the finish line, Scott Jurek ran an American record 266.677 km over 24 hours to claim the silver medal at the World 24-hour Run Championships in Brive, France. The previous record of 261.454 km was set back in 1999 by Mark Goodale.
Michael Henze was the second American across the line, finishing 12th with 248.615 km and Serge Arbona finished 21st with 242.176 km. Their performances helped the men of Team USA secure the bronze medal position on the podium.
Also competing for Team USA were Phil McCarthy (32nd - 230.522 km), John Geesler (103rd - 174.938 km), and Dan Rose (125th - 146.893).
On the women's side, Anna Piskorka was the top American on the day, finishing 10th with 214.417 km. Just behind her was Deb Horn in 14th with 207.825 km, and Suzanna Bon in 17th with 203.287 km. Amy Palmiero-Winters was 19th (199.544 km), Jamie Donaldson was 26th (194.106 km), and Jill Perry finished 69th (129.339 km). Team USA's women finished fourth overall.
For more information and complete results, visit www.24h-brive.fr.
Michael Henze was the second American across the line, finishing 12th with 248.615 km and Serge Arbona finished 21st with 242.176 km. Their performances helped the men of Team USA secure the bronze medal position on the podium.
Also competing for Team USA were Phil McCarthy (32nd - 230.522 km), John Geesler (103rd - 174.938 km), and Dan Rose (125th - 146.893).
On the women's side, Anna Piskorka was the top American on the day, finishing 10th with 214.417 km. Just behind her was Deb Horn in 14th with 207.825 km, and Suzanna Bon in 17th with 203.287 km. Amy Palmiero-Winters was 19th (199.544 km), Jamie Donaldson was 26th (194.106 km), and Jill Perry finished 69th (129.339 km). Team USA's women finished fourth overall.
For more information and complete results, visit www.24h-brive.fr.
Race Report: 34th Annual Lilac Bloomsday Run
(5-5-10) From Press Release - Lineth Chepkurui seemed unfazed by having World Cross Champion Emily Chebet-Muge and 2010 Dubai Marathon champion Mamitu Daska on her heels for much of the 34th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run, as the Kenyan star used Doomsday Hill to break away and surge ahead to notch a third straight victory with a stunning new world 12K best of 38:10. In the men’s race, fellow Kenyan Peter Kirui eased up Doomsday at the back of a pack of eight but then accelerated and steadily distanced himself from the field, moving ahead over the final two miles to earn a Bloomsday title in his first attempt. A field of 55,088 signed up for this year’s Bloomsday Run, an increase of nearly 4,000 over last year. Runners were greeted by nearly cloudless skies and cool temperatures in the mid-40s, with occasional gusts of wind. With mostly favorable running conditions, it didn’t take long for the trio of Chepkurui, Chebet-Muge and Daska to break away from the rest of the field. By three miles it had clearly shaped into a three woman battle, with Chepkurui in the lead and using each of Bloomsday’s three hills to try to break away.
“I had to push it hard because I knew they were very fast,” said the 2008 and 2009 Bloomsday champion. “So I put in more effort.”
That effort finally paid off toward the top of Doomsday, the third and most famous hill on the course, as Chepkurui inched into the lead. At five miles she was slightly ahead of Bloomsday record pace, but once in the lead she seemed to gain steam, increasing her lead steadily over the final miles. Her winning time of 38:10 eclipsed Delillah Asiago’s 1995 course record of 38:31, a time adjusted to reflect what proved to be a short course, and Chepkurui’s time also obliterated the listed world 12K road best of 38:22 set by Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco at the 2005 Bay to Breakers. Chepkurui finished 15 seconds ahead of Daska and 40 seconds ahead of Chebet-Muge.
In the men’s race, a modest pace through the early miles kept a pack of eight Kenyans together all the way to Doomsday Hill, near the five-mile mark. Stephen Muange pushed the pace up the hill, hoping to use the ascent as so many have done in the past to make a break, but this time the hill didn’t shake a single runner. At the top, the pack still numbered eight. One of those was Kirui, who was waiting to pounce.
“I stayed behind them because I tried to come up the hill,” said Kirui later. “But it was windy, so I thought it was better for me to stay behind.”
But not for long. As the incline flattened out, Kirui surged into the lead, and the pack finally began to string out single file behind him. Julius Kogo gave chase, as did Muange and three-time Bloomsday champion John Korir, but no one was able to quite match Kirui’s surges. He would speed to a 34:28 victory, five seconds ahead of Kogo, with Muange and Korir a few seconds farther back. Kenyans took the first eight places, with pre-race favorite Ridouane Harroufi and American Dan Browne rounding out the top ten.
Browne’s performance earned him the $5,000 prize money paid to the top American for the second straight year, a feat duplicated by Sally Meyerhoff in the women’s race. In masters competition, Mbarak Hussein took the men’s title, while Nicole Hunt of Deer Lodge, Montana, earned her first masters title since turning forty a few days earlier.
In the men’s wheelchair race, a pack of five stayed close until two miles, when Jordan Bird of Tucson, Arizona took the lead. 2008 Bloomsday champion Aaron Gordon and Scott Parson of San Jose, California, gave chase, but it was to be Bird’s day. Bird stormed up Doomday Hill and on to the finish for a victory by nearly 2 minutes.
In the women’s wheelchair division, three-time Bloomsday champion Amanda McGrory of the University of Illinois whittled down a huge lead established by Shirley Reilly of the University of Arizona on the first downhill, and then, after gaining the lead by mile two never relinquished it. Her winning time of 35:15 was a half-minute ahead of Reilly.
In the masters division, eight-time open wheelchair champion Craig Blanchette was victorious in his return to the streets of Spokane, while Santiago Sanz-Quinto (T-2) and Jimbo Boyd (T-1) earned victories in their respective quad divisions.
Nearly $100,000 was awarded in open, masters, US citizen, wheelchair and Washington state resident divisions in this year’s Bloomsday Run. Along with spirited elite competition in all divisions, over 50,000 finishers enjoyed performances from nearly 30 bands, vocalists and performing troupes along the course, eventually reaching the finish and claiming this year’s finisher T-shirt. Next year’s Lilac Bloomsday Run, the 35th, will be on Sunday, May 1st, 2011.
Portland's Chris Solinsky Pulls off Stunning Win, Breaks 10k American Record
(5-3-10) We're still catching our breath from all of the action around the Northwest this past weekend. The Eugene Marathon, the Tacoma City Marathon and Bloomsday marked one of the largest running weekends in the U.S. for the entire year.
Down in Palo Alto over the weekend, Chris Solinsky, who trains with Portland-based OTC Elite, took to the track at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational to run a 10k. This wasn't just any 10k that Solinsky was looking to log, it was his FIRST-ever competitive attempt at the distance. 25-year-old Solinsky ran a stellar 26:59.60, which set a new American Record, beating Meb Keflezighi's previous American 10,000m record of 27:13.98. Galen Rupp had also toed the line at the event to attempt to break the record and was successful in his attempt running 27:10.74. But Solinsky's stunning performance was the best of the night and thus, giving him the title of the fastest American 10k runner in history.
Strands.com Revives High Performance Track Meet in Corvallis
(5-3-10) Courtesy Running USA wire #35-05-10 - Strands.com is reviving the historic Hi-Lite Track Meet in Corvallis with a high performance track meet and community events on Saturday, May 29 at the Corvallis High School track.
The Strands.com Hi-Lite Meet will draw many of the nation's best mid-distance and distance runners for the first high performance track meet hosted in Corvallis since the Oregon State University men's and women's track programs were cut in 1988. The Hi-Lite Meet originated on May 30, 1974 under the direction of Oregon State Head Coach Berny Wagner. During its 14-year history, the meet was host to some titans in the history of USA Track & Field, including Steve Prefontaine and Mary Decker, among others. The meet will take place at Corvallis High School, where 41 years ago Prefontaine set the National High School 2 mile record (8:41.5).
"Corvallis has a tradition of great track and field and a vibrant running community," said Strands.com Marketing Director Matt Downin. "We thought it would be fun to host a track meet that brings together the community and some of the nation's best track talent."
Community events are slated to begin at 6:30pm. Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in an Open Mile, Boys Middle School Mile, Girls Middle School Mile, Pre-teen 400 Meter Dash, Kids 50 Meter Dash and Corporate Relay (4 x 400). To register for the community events, visit the official Strands.com Hi-Lite Meet website at: www.strands.com/events/strandscom.
The elite meet will feature a men's and women's 800 meters, 1500, 5000 and a men's 10,000 meters. Coaches and athletes interested in attending the meet need to contact Seamus Nally to register at nally@strands.com.
Team Strands.com / Mizuno is sponsored by Strands.com and Mizuno USA. Strands.com is an online training log and social networking site where athletes share their training, connect with friends and teammates, and streamline their online activities.
The Strands.com Hi-Lite Meet will draw many of the nation's best mid-distance and distance runners for the first high performance track meet hosted in Corvallis since the Oregon State University men's and women's track programs were cut in 1988. The Hi-Lite Meet originated on May 30, 1974 under the direction of Oregon State Head Coach Berny Wagner. During its 14-year history, the meet was host to some titans in the history of USA Track & Field, including Steve Prefontaine and Mary Decker, among others. The meet will take place at Corvallis High School, where 41 years ago Prefontaine set the National High School 2 mile record (8:41.5).
"Corvallis has a tradition of great track and field and a vibrant running community," said Strands.com Marketing Director Matt Downin. "We thought it would be fun to host a track meet that brings together the community and some of the nation's best track talent."
Community events are slated to begin at 6:30pm. Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in an Open Mile, Boys Middle School Mile, Girls Middle School Mile, Pre-teen 400 Meter Dash, Kids 50 Meter Dash and Corporate Relay (4 x 400). To register for the community events, visit the official Strands.com Hi-Lite Meet website at: www.strands.com/events/strandscom.
The elite meet will feature a men's and women's 800 meters, 1500, 5000 and a men's 10,000 meters. Coaches and athletes interested in attending the meet need to contact Seamus Nally to register at nally@strands.com.
Team Strands.com / Mizuno is sponsored by Strands.com and Mizuno USA. Strands.com is an online training log and social networking site where athletes share their training, connect with friends and teammates, and streamline their online activities.
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