Two More Buffs Earn All-American Status at Nationals

Friday, March 10

Randal Tyson Indoor Track, Fayetteville, Ark.

All Day

Colorado

NCAA Indoor Championships

March 11, 2006 | Track and Field

By: Brandon Gilbert, Student Assistant SID

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. ? Stephen Pifer and Liza Pasciuto were the only two athletes to compete for the Buffs on the second day of Nationals in Fayetteville Ark. on Saturday. Pifer raced to a fifth-place finish in the mile run with a time of 4:14.81 and Pasciuto finished seventh in the 3k with a time of 9:21.10. Both athletes joined senior Bret Schoolmeester as All-Americans by finishing in the top eight of their race, making a total of three All-Americans for the Buffs this season.

For Pasciuto it was her first time competing in the national championship and her first All-American honor in track and field. She raced in an unusually large field today.

“Usually there 14 or 16 racers, but today it was 20,” said head coach Mark Wetmore. “She was very patient, moving up methodically from the back of the field. She maybe let a gap happen from the front six and herself, so she ran the last 600-m of the race basically alone. But for a novice in this meet to follow her race plan, I was happy with her performance today.”

Pifer earned All-American honors for the third time in his career, the first two in cross country in 2004 and 2005. Pifer's race today was, “an extremely tactical race," Wetmore said.

"He confused the field greatly and on purpose by not leading everyone in the race, but it was definitely our plan to disturb their expectations. So he laid low and (the other runners) were all jogging around, looking over their shoulders to see when he would take it. Finally, Christian Smith from Kansas State made a move more than two thirds into the race and it was a sprint to the finish line.

“I was happy with how he closed over the last 600-m and I am happy with a fith place finish for him. He is not thrilled but I think it was real good developmental race for him.”

With this race the Buffs close out the indoor season and look forward to the outdoor campaign. “Now I am looking forward to disappearing back into training now and getting back into the outdoor season,” said Wetmore.

The Buffs will set out on their outdoor campaign beginning on March 18 when they will host the Potts Collegiate Invitational. Field events will begin at 9:00a.m with track events following at 1:00p.m.

2006 NCAA INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Randal Tyson Indoor Track (Fayetteville, Ark.)

Running Events (CU Athletes Only)

Men's Mile: 5. Stephen Pifer, 4:14.81

Women's 3,000Meters: 7. Liza Pasciuto, 9:21.10

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