Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Sweep 5K At NCAAs
May 30, 2003 | Track and Field
LINCOLN, Neb. - The University of Colorado track & field team participated in the inaugural NCAA Midwest Region Outdoor Championships here Friday, and a pair of Buffaloes raced to titles in the first of two days of competition.
CU record-holder and super-sophomore Sara Gorton won the women's 5,000 meters in a time of 16:22.14, easily defeating challenger Debbie Thornhill of Baylor (16:42.25), to win the first-ever NCAA Midwest Region 5K title. She will advance to the championship meet in Sacramento, June 13-14. Also joining Gorton will be senior Molly Austin, who snagged the last spot to the finals by placing fifth in 16:57.35.
Gorton wasn't the only Buff racing to a win today, as senior Ed Torres won the men's inaugural 5K title in fine fashion in a time of 14:09.70. He beat Texas Pan-American's Westly Keating by over four seconds (14:13.80) to win the title. Joining him in California will be freshman Billy Nelson, who took fourth in 14:21.56.
Jorge Torres, the national leader in the 5,000 meters did not compete in that event, and instead took his chances in the men's 1,500. He took third in his heat, fifth overall in a time of 3:48.92, which easily put him into Saturday's final. The only other Buffalo to score points on the day was Chase Mullen in the hammer throw. He took seventh with his heave of 193-00, one of the top five throws in school history, but it was not enough to secure him a spot at the national meet as only the top five finishers earn the automatic berth.
Hannah Warfield-Ruffato was the one other CU thrower to compete this weekend, finishing a respectable 10th in the women's javelin. Her toss of 147-08 was the second best for a freshman at the meet, and she finishes her season as the second-best javelin tosser in school history with three years left.
Tomorrow just four Buffaloes will be in action in three events. Jorge Torres will try and maintain his top five status in the men's 1,500 meter final, while sophomore Anna Magle will try her luck in the women's high jump. A pair of Buffalo women, Natalie Florence and Kendall Grgas-Wheeler, will race for top five spots in the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase.
2003 NCAA Midwest Regional Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Friday, May 30, 2003 Results
Colorado Athletes Only
Men's Hammer Throw
7. Chase Mullen, 58.83m, 193-00
Women's Javelin Throw
10. Hannah Warfield-Ruffato, 45.02m, 147-08
Women's 1,500 Meter Run Prelims
14. Brianna Torres, 4:43.48
Men's 1,500 Meter Run Prelims
5. Jorge Torres, 3:48.92
Women's 100 Meter Hurdles Prelims
19. Deneeka Torrey, 14.13
Men's 110 Meter Hurdles Prelims
21. AK Ikwuakor, 14.50
Men's High Jump
18. Andy Miller, 2.08m, 9-0.75
Women's Pole Vault
Megan Buttner, NH
Men's 400 Meter Dash Prelims
20. Daric Wilhite, 48.47
Women's 400 Meter Hurdles Prelims
18. Deneeka Torrey, 64.47
Men's 400 Meter Hurdles Prelims
17. AK Ikwuakor, 53.39
Women's 5,000 Meter Run
1. Sara Gorton, 16:22.14, advances to NCAA Championships
5. Molly Austin, 16:57.35, advances to NCAA Championships
Men's 5,000 Meter Run
1. Ed Torres, 14:09.70, advances to NCAA Championships
4. Billy Nelson, 14:21.86, advances to NCAA Championships
