Metivier and Vaughn Run To Victory at Big 12 Championships

LINCOLN, Neb. - University of Colorado distance runners Renee Metivier and Brent Vaughn dominated their respective 3,000-meter races, both placing first with times of 9:29.35 and 8:05.90, respectively, on Saturday at the Big 12 Indoor Championships Finals at the University of Nebraska's Bob Devaney Center.

            The Buffs captured a seventh place finish in the men's competition, while the women brought home eighth place on the final day of competition.  Nebraska captured both the women's and men's conference titles, as the Huskers successfully defended their dual 2004 indoor titles. 

            CU's men's team improved from last year's standing, when it brought home an eighth place finish. Unfortunately for the Buff women, they dropped several notches after finishing fifth in 2004.

            Also scoring points for CU in the women's 3000-m race were Christine Bolf in second place (9:33.09) and Liza Pasciuto in eighth (9:42.11). On the men's side, Stephen Pifer (8:11.39) and Pete Janson (8:12.87) added to the men's point total in the 3000-m run, placing fourth and seventh, respectively.

Metivier also recorded a second place finish in the mile run, posting a season-best time of 4:47.20. Bret Schoolmeester placed third in the men's mile with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 4:03.80, followed in fourth by Stephen Pifer in 4:05.06.

            In his first 1000-m appearance of the season, Anthony Chiulli recorded a fifth place finish in a time of 2:26.82, while sophomore Jason Zichterman also contributed to the Buffalo team points by finishing fourth in the 800 with a season-best time of 1:50.32. George Pincock and Eric Lee-O'Brien competed in the 400-m dash, placing 12th (49.18) and 16th (51.58), respectively. Pincock also placed 13th in the 200-m dash (22.01).

            On the field, jump specialist Amberly Casey scored points for Colorado in the triple jump finals, posting a mark of 40-07.75 for seventh place; senior Liza Negriff followed with a 12th place finish (39-02.25). High jumper Anna Magle also scored points for the Buffs in a five-way tie for eighth place (5-06) in the event. Carly Newlands threw a season-best 46-05.25 for a ninth place finish in the shot put competition.

            In multi-event action, senior Andy Miller finished competition in the Heptathlon, ranking 12th overall with 4285 points. Miller finished seventh in the 60-m hurdles and ninth in the 1000-m run.

            Other competitors in women's running events included Kate Hamera (5:03.83), with a 13th place finish in the mile run, Mikaela Raddatz clocking a 1:28.44 (17th) in the 600-m run, and Jaclyn Sturm, who ran a 1:00.14 for a 17th place finish in the 400-m dash.

            The Buffaloes will return to the track on Saturday, March 5 for the Pre-National Qualifier.

Big 12 Indoor Championships

Bob Devaney Center (Lincoln, Neb.)

RUNNING EVENTS (CU Athletes Only)

Women's 200-Meter (prelim): 22. Jaclyn Sturm, 26.10

Men's 200-Meter (final): 13. George Pincock, 22.01

Women's 400-Meter (prelim): 17. Jaclyn Sturm, 1:00.14

Men's 400-Meter (prelim): 12. George Pincock, 49.18; 16. Eric Lee-O'Brien, 51.58

Women's 600-Meter (prelim): 17. Mikaela Raddatz, 1:28.44

Men's 600-Meter (prelim): 10. Chris Abuan, 1:11.51; --. Nate Terry, 1:12.10

Men's 800-Meter (final): 4. Jason Zichterman, 1:50.32

Men's 1000-Meter (final): Anthony Chiulli, 2:26.82

Women's Mile (final): 2. Renee Metivier, 4:47.20; 13. Kate Hamera, 5:03.83

Men's Mile (final): 3. Bret Schoolmeester, 4:03.80; 4. Stephen Pifer, 4:05.06

Women's 3000-Meter (final): 1. Renee Metivier, 9:19.35; 2. Christine Bolf, 9:33.09; 8. Liza Pasciuto, 9:42.11; 37. Shanna Sparks, 10:37.78

Men's 3000-Meter (final): 1. Brent Vaughn, 8:05.90; 4. Stephen Pifer, 8:11.39; 7. Pete Janson, 8:12.87; 10. James Strang, 8:16.87; 14. Jon Severy, 8:20.08; 15. Brett Schoolmeester, 8:20.29; 16. Bill Nelson, 8:21.86; 17. Austin Baille, 8:21.90; 20. Bradley Harkrader, 8:26.53; 21. Payton Batliner, 8:27.03; 29. Chris Pannone, 8:32.12; 37. Matt McCue, 8:37.79

Men's 4X400-Yard Relay (final): 10. Chris Abuan, George Pincock, Jason Zichterman, Sam Napp, 3:22.82

FIELD EVENTS (CU Athletes Only)

Women's High Jump (final): 8 (tie). Anna Magle, 5-06

Women's Triple Jump (final): 7. Amberly Casey, 40-07.75; 12. Liza Negriff, 39-02.25

Women's Shot Put (final): 9. Carly Newlands, 46-05.25

Men's Shot Put (final): --. Andy Passen, FOUL

MEN'S HEPTATHLON (CU Athletes Only)

1000-Meter 9. Andrew Miller, 2:53.55; 60-Meter Hurdles: 7. Andrew Miller, 8.75; Pole Vault: --. Andrew Miller, NH; Final: 12. Andrew Miller, 4,285