SEVEN BUFFS EARN REGIONAL MARKS AT MT. SAC
WALNUT, Calif. - The University of Colorado track & field team had a solid first day at the Mt. San Antonio College Relays here at Gilmer Lodge Stadium on Friday night. Seven different Colorado athletes ran to NCAA Regional Qualifying Marks in addition to two Buffaloes winning their respective events.
Pete Janson had a solid outing in his first ever collegiate steeplechase, winning his heat in a time of 9:04.20. The mark is a regional qualifying standard. Senior Natalie Florence was the first NCAA qualifier of the evening, taking 12th in the women's university/open heat of the 5,000 meter run in a time of 16:48.93.
Renee Metivier ran a great 5,000 meters, taking second in a personal best of 15:49.08. Her time is the fifth-best ever at CU, trailing Sara Slattery, and Kara Grgas-Wheeler who each own a pair of the top four times at CU. She took second after getting outkicked down the homestretch by Jennifer Kramer of Boston College in the final 100 meters.
Bret Schoolmeester had a strong race in the men's 5,000 meter run. He took fourth in 13:50.24, the 20th best time ever at CU, a personal record as well as an NCAA qualifying mark. Schoolmeester ran with the top four for the length of the race, even taking the lead at one point in the middle of the race. He was followed in the heat by fellow Buffalo Bill Nelson, who ran his first race since injury. Nelson was 22nd in 14:07.53, which is just eight seconds off his personal best set at the NCAA's last year and he accomplished that time on just three weeks of running.
In women's steeple action, Kendall Grgas-Wheeler took seventh in the women's university/open heat, running a time of 10:43.05. A year ago here Grgas-Wheeler ran her PR of 11:01.79, so her time marks an 18-second improvement over last year.
The runners were not the only Buffaloes competing Friday, as three men's field events competitors tried their hand. Zach Hazen took third in the men's university/open discus flight with his best throw of 170-11. Sophomore Brandon Johnson was the first Buff to get underway on Friday, taking first in the men's long jump. He leaped 23-00.75, good for the second best mark of Johnson's CU career and the 18th best at CU ever.
Saturday night will feature the Mt. SAC Middle Distance Carnival with the 400, 800 and 1,500 meter races taking place.
Mt. SAC Relays Results - All Dates
Colorado Athletes Only (*-NCAA Regional Mark)
Men 5000 Meter Run University/Open
9. Jon Severy, 14:39.11
29. Matt McCue, 15:06.64
Women 5000 Meter Run University/Open
12. Natalie Florence, 16:48.93*
Men's Long Jump University/Open
1. Brandon Johnson, 7.03m 23-00.75
Men's Discus
3. Zach Hazen, 52.09m 170-11*
14. James Begley, 47.09m 154-06
Women's University/Open 3,000 Meter Steeplechase
7. Kendall Grgas-Wheeler, 10:43.05*
Men's Hammer
11. Zach Hazen, 49.82m 163-05
Men 3000 Meter Steeplechase OD University/Open
1. Pete Janson, 9:04.20*
Men 5000 Meter Run University/Open
4. Bret Schoolmeester, 13:50.24*
22. Bill Nelson, 14:07.53*
Women 5000 Meter Run University/Open
2. Renee Metivier, 15:49.08*
Event 304 Men 800 Meter Run University/Open
2 Jason Zichterman, 1:50.94
Women 1500 Meter Run University/Open
1. Christine Bolf, 4:31.66
8. Kalin Toedebusch, 4:36.94
10. Jackie Zeigle, 4:40.00
Men's 1,500 U/O
7. Jared Scott, 3:52.91
17. Pete Janson, 3:56.52
Section 7
5. Dathan Ritzenhein, 3:43.15
Men 400 Meter Dash University/Open
Section 2
7 George Pincock, 48.41
Section 3
7 Daric Wilhite, 49.53
Women's Invitational Javelin
12. Hannah Warfield, 39.09m 128-03
Women's 100 Meter Hurdles
5. Deneeka Torrey, 14.27
Women's 400 Meter Hurdles
3. Deneeka Torrey, 1:01.77
Women's Triple Jump
6. Liza Negriff, 11.80m 0.5 38-08.75