Pifer Sets CU Record at Husky Classic

Saturday, February 11

Seattle, Wash.

TBA

Colorado

Husky Classic

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

February 11, 2006 | Track and Field

By: Brandon Gilbert, Student Assistant SID

SEATTLE, Wash. ? Junior Stephen Pifer set a Colorado school record in the mile run on Saturday at the Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash. His personal and school record setting run of 3:59.55 was good enough to place him in fifth, with the top five runners only separated by a second.

“The real highlight of the day was Stephen Pifer's school record run in the mile, and he is only a sophomore,” commented head coach Mark Wetmore.

Pifer passed Steve Slattery's run of 4:01.94 to take the top spot in Colorado history and thus becoming the first CU racer to run the mile under four minutes. Pifer was followed by sophomore Anthony Chiulli, who finished 14th with a pr of 4:03.55. Both runners met the NCAA provisional qualifying mark.

In the 5k, for the first time in CU history, three of Colorado's runners finished in less than 13:50, all three beating the NCAA automatic qualifying mark. Junior Billy Nelson took fifth (pr of 13:46.80), senior Bret Schoolmeester took eighth (pr of 13:48.52) and junior Brent Vaughn took ninth (13:48.67). The finishes were good enough to land in fourth, fifth and sixth in CU history, respectively.

“It was a very productive day,” said Wetmore, “We knew our athletes were ready and were going to be fresh. It really shouldn't have been a surprise, but maybe they surprised us a little with their performance today.”

Two more CU athletes met the NCAA provisional qualifying mark: senior Christine Bolf placed third in the 5k (pr of 15:46.83) and sophomore Hugh Charles landed in third in the long jump (24-06.25). Bolf only trailed Amy Hastings of Arizona State and former CU Buff Renee Metivier by one second. This is the second straight meet Charles has provisionally qualified and set a personal record.

In the women's long jump, junior Amberly Casey jumped to an impressive sixth place finish with her personal best leap of 19-06.25.

The Buffs also had an impressive performance in the throwing disciplines, with junior Courtney Hutmacher taking fourth in the women's weight throw (58-03.25) and senior Zach Hazen taking fourth in the men's (60-04.00).

In the Buffs lone relay race, the men's 4x400-meter team of freshman Will Buchanan, junior Jason Zichterman, junior Daniel Kenney and sophomore Anthony Chiulli took seventh with a time of 3:22.95.

The Buffs will return tomorrow for the Washington Open. They will then have a week to prepare for their next action, at the Big 12 Championships in Lincoln, Neb. Feb. 24-25.

WASHINGTON HUSKY CLASSIC

Seattle, Wash.

FIELD EVENTS (CU ATHLETES ONLY)

Women's Long Jump: 6. Amberly Casey, 19-0.6.25; 17. Chelsea Haverty, 18-00.50

Women's Weight Throw: 4. Courtney Hutmacher, 58-03.25

Men's Long Jump: 3. Hugh Charles, 24-06.25

Men's Weight Throw: 4. Zack Hazen, 60-04.00; 11. James Begley, 53-10.25

Men's Shot Put: 11. Andy Passen, 52-03.25; 12. James Begley, 51-03.00

RUNNING EVENTS (CU ATHLETES ONLY)

Women's Mile: 48. Sara Ensrud, 5:08.66

Women's 3000-Meters: 49. Erin Martson, 10:44.17

Women's 5000-Meters: 3. Christine Bolf, 15:46.83

Men's Mile: 5. Stephen Pifer, 3:59.55; 14. Anthony Chiulli, 4:03.55; 31. Pete Janson, 4:08.18; 41. Daniel Kenney, 4:10.73; 50. Rob Thayer, 4:15.77

Men's 800-Meters: 28. Jason Zichterman, 1:54.51; 35. Will Buchanan, 1:55.39

Men's 5000-Meters: 5. Billy Nelson, 13:46.80; 8. Bret Schoolmeester, 13:48.52; 9. Brent Vaughn, 13:48.67; 20. Payton Batliner, 14:15.43; 22. Austin Baillie, 14:17.23; 28. Chris Pannone, 14:25.79; 31. Erik Heinonen, 14:32.14; 33. Kenyon Neuman, 14:33.75; 42. Seth DeMoor, 14:53.76; 44. Greg Castro, 15:05.67