RITZ CLAIMS NCAA MIDWEST REGION 5k CROWN

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - In the day's only track event with final implications, Dathan Ritzenhein won the NCAA Midwest Regional Outdoor 5,000-m title in a season best 14 minutes, 04.75 seconds at the Anderson Track and Field Complex here Friday night while Renee Metivier finished fourth in the day's only other final, the women's 5k, in 17:06.62.

Ritzenhein bested Kansas' Benson Chesang, who finished a distant 13 seconds behind Ritzenhein, taking runner-up distinction in 14:17.04.  Ironically, Chesan had the region's 13th time (14:07.55) entering the meet, while Ritz had the 14th (4:08.40). Sophomore Bret Schoolmeester finished seventh in 14:27.66, his second best 5k of the outdoor season.

Metivier entered the second to last event of the night with the Midwest Region's fastest time, 15:49.08, but had to settle for a fourth place finish here tonight.

The Buffs failed to advance anyone to Saturday's finals in the men's shot put, women's 100-m hurdles, men's 1,500-m run and men's hurdles after Friday's prelims.

Junior Andy Passen fouled on his first two attempts in the men's shot put before a 50-9.25 effort on his third and final throw to finish eighth in the first flight of competitors, 20th overall.  Nebraska's Carl Myerscough won the event with a toss of 66-09.75.

Junior Daneeka Torrey, who entered today's prelims with the 10th best season regional effort, finished fifth in her heat, and 12th overall with a 13.86 pace, short of her 13.56 season best mark.

Jared Scott fell short of advancing to Saturday's finals in the men's 1,500-m when he finished eighth in his heat and 17th overall in 3:58.65.

In the men's 800-m prelims, freshman Jason Zichterman was fourth in his heat (1:50.67) and 10th overall, missing the qualifying finish by a single spot.

The Midwest Regional continues Saturday with Buffs competing in the womens' high jump, men's discus, 400-m hurdles and men's and women's steeplechase.