Gorton, Torres Sweep 5K Titles

AUSTIN - The University of Colorado track & field team wrapped up the 2003 Big 12 Outdoor Championships in fine style, with 1-2 finishes in the both the men's and women's 5,000 meters and CU's first titles of the meet. The Colorado men took seventh, the women were eighth.

Sara Gorton took Colorado's first individual title of the meet, repeating in the women's 5,000 meters in a time of 16:19.99, a new Myers Stadium record. Molly Austin was second in 16:48.49, while freshman Christine Bolf used a strong last 800 meters to take seventh in 17:19.44. The win was sweet revenge for Gorton, who was defeated in the last 100 meters of the 1,500 earlier in the day by Kansas State's Amy Mortimer. Gorton's time of 4:19.14 got her second place.

"Coming off the 1,500, I was looking forward to racing Amy, so I was kind of disappointed that she wasn't in the (5,000 meters)," said Gorton. "It was fun going 1-2 with Molly in the 5K and then having Christine score was even better, so it was great for the CU distance team. It was even more fun to watch the men's 5K and sweep the top three spots."

"Naturally we look to the 5K as kind of our big statement of the meet every year," said Wetmore. "I think it was a bigger statement than I had reason to expect. With Sara, we were a little disappointed in the 1,500, and was beaten by a 1,500 meter specialist, but nevertheless she wanted to win and was disappointed. To come back and run the 5K quite commandingly was a bit of a revenge for her. It was a good run for Molly too and beat some very good women and proved she's back in time for the regional meet. I was very satisfied with Christine Bolf in the 5k to take seventh after a very upsetting 10K two nights ago."

Jorge Torres led from the first 200 meters on to win his first Big 12 5,000 meters outdoor title in 14:16.37, a new stadium record. Finishing just behind him was brother Edwardo in 14:16.46, who caught Jorge with 200 meters to go before Jorge edged him at the tape. Freshman Billy Nelson kicked down Baylor's Kyle King in the last 30 meters to take third in 14:19.55, and Jon Severy came in eighth in 14:43.07 for a total of 26 CU points in the event.

"The weather was a little hot but we had to come out and compete," said Jorge. "My strategy was to get out early, set the pace and use my kick at the end. I was really trying to set the race up for my brother so we could finish first-second. This was our way of saying goodbye to the Big 12 and letting everyone know we have enjoyed our experiences."

"In the men's 5,000 we expect Jorge to win, and there were other good guys in there," said Wetmore. "We expected it to be a battle for Eddie, but it turned out to be pretty easy for him. The guy stealing the show was Billy with his last 100 meters, it looked like it was a mile relay leg."

Jorge Torres was also second in the 1,500 meters in 3:44.15, getting kicked down in the last 100 meters. Freshman Bret Schoolmeester was fifth in 3:49.70, using a strong kick down the home stretch to pick off the competition.

In the hurdles, Deneeka Torrey and AK Ikwuakor both scored for CU, with Torrey taking seventh in 1:02.39 and Ikwuakor taking fifth in 52.34. Freshmen steeplechasers Casey Burchill and Payton Batliner were sixth and eighth in the 3,000 steeple, with times of 9:21.69 and 9:30.69, respectively. Kendall Grgas-Wheeler came from the back of the pack to seize fifth in the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase in 11:03.66 and her first outdoor conference scoring effort of her career.

" I really think the theme of the year is freshmen and underclassmen, just missing the scoring and the podium," said Wetmore. "I'm very optimistic about the development of this team over the next two years."

Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Colorado Athletes Only
Women's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase
5. Kendall Grgas-Wheeler, 11:03.66

Men's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase
6. Casey Burchill, 9:21.69
8. Payton Batliner, 9:30.69

Women's 1,500 Meter Run
2. Sara Gorton, 4:19.14

Men's 1,500 Meter Run
2. Jorge Torres, 3:44.15
5. Bret Schoolmeester, 3:49.70

Men's 110 Meter Hurdles
9. AK Ikwuakor, 14.79

Women's 400 Meter Hurdles
7. Deneeka Torrey, 1:02.39

Men's 400 Meter Hurdles
5. AK Ikwuakor, 52.34

Women's 5,000 Meter Run
1. Sara Gorton, 16:19.99
2. Molly Austin, 16:48.49
6. Christine Bolf, 17:19.44
13. Tera Moody, 17:51.25
19. Jackie Zeigle, 18:16.47

Men's 5,000 Meter Run
1. Jorge Torres, 14:16.37
2. Edwardo Torres, 14:16.46
3. Billy Nelson, 14:19.55
8. Jon Severy, 14:43.07
13. Casey Burchill, 15:01.20
16. Jared Scott, 15:12.54
17. Payton Batliner, 15:13.92
19. Matt McCue, 15:15.49
22. Bryan Dillon, 15:19.28

Men's 4x400 Meter Relay
10. Colorado (Abuan, Ikwuakor, Johnson, Wilhite), 3:12.32

Women's Triple Jump
13. Liza Negriff, 37-08.75

Women's Discus
13. Carly Newlands, 133-01

Women's High Jump
10. Anna Magle, 5-7

Women's Team Scores
1. Texas 188
2. Nebraska 130.67
3. Kansas State 83.33
4. Missouri 83
5. Baylor 81
6. Kansas 59.50
7. Texas A&M 44
8. Colorado 42
9. Oklahoma 36
10. Texas Tech 32.50
11. Iowa State 26
12. Oklahoma State 11

Men's Team Scores
1. Texas 132
2. Texas A&M 115
3. Nebraska 113
4. Texas Tech 90
5. Missouri 80
6. Oklahoma 59
7. Colorado 56
8. Baylor 52
9. Kansas 43
10. Kansas State 42
11. Iowa State 27
12. Oklahoma State 8