Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Air Force Invitational
Buffs Finish Strong At Air Force Invite
January 24, 2015 | Track and Field
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY — The University of Colorado track and field team dominated the distance events at the Air Force Invitational to finish the meet on a strong note Saturday.
“I would say this meet maybe went a little better than expected for this time of year,” coach Mark Wetmore said. “This is the first weekend we've taken the whole team to a meet. The distant team needs some time off after the cross country season, so while the rest of the team has been somewhat busy competing the last few weeks, they have been preparing to get back into competitions. It was fun to see everybody work together as a team today.”
The men came away with individual victories in the mile and 3,000-meter runs. Ben Saarel earned the first place finish in the mile, finishing in 4:12.30. Just behind him in third was teammate Morgan Pearson, who clocked in at 4:13.90. Another Buff, Ammar Moussa, took fourth in 4:15.82 and Adam Peterman rounded out the top five in 4:23.19.
“Ben's mile was faster than expected,” Wetmore said. “Morgan led most of the race and had a nice race as well. Ammar also ran well in his first race since nationals.”
The men were also a force in the 3,000 as Pierce Murphy was the first runner across the finish line in 8:38.92. Ryan Forsyth clocked in at 8:42.51 for second, just holding off teammate Paul Miller, who took third in 8:42.79.
“It was good to see Pierce win the 3,000,” Wetmore said.
The women's distance runners also did well. Maddie Alm brought home a second place finish in the mile (5:05.55), but was the top collegiate runner as Alicia Nelson (Boulder Runner Club) was first in 5:00.56. Erin Clark placed third overall in 5:06.46 and Melanie Nun also had a good showing with an eighth place finish (5:21.88).
Just like the men, the women also had a strong performance the 3k. Kaitlyn Benner was the top collegiate runner with a second place finish (10:05.23), finishing second to Nelson (10:04.98). Annie Kelly and Val Constien placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Kelly recorded a time of 10:18.62 and Constien clocked in at 10:18.88.
“Maddie and Kaitlyn both had a nice performance today,” Wetmore said. “They were the top collegians in their events and ran very well.”
The Buffalo sprinters did well in the finals of their respective events. Jaron Thomas won the men's 60-meter hurdles in 8.20, while Ana Holland won the women's 60 final in 7.52.
“It was good to see Jaron win,” Wetmore said. “He looked good. Throughout the week he has been walking around with bags of ice, so he came into it a little less than perfect, but it was a good race for him. Ana was third coming into the final but she ran smart and had a decisive victory.”
Lindsy Mattson had a great finish in the women's 400, crossing second overall in 56.86. Another Buff, Tashay Brown, recorded a top-three placing in the 200, clocking in at 24.79. Also receiving top three finishes were CU's mile relays. The women's team was second to CSU (3:49.72), finishing in 3:51.80. The men were third, recording a time of 3:18.90.
Rajon O'Quinn led the Buffs in the field events on Saturday, winning the high jump with a season best clearance of 5-8.75. Mark Jones was third overall in the men's high jump, reaching 7-0.25, another season best performance.
“Rajon had a very good jump for us at this time of year. She is learning more every day,” Wetmore said.
Alex Kizirian was the top thrower for the Buffs in the shot put, placing fifth overall (55-0). On the women's side, Mariah Walker was sixth (41-1.25).
“Across the weekend we had a number of individual winners,” Wetmore said. “Alex won again yesterday in the weight throw and two days Abrianna Torres had a nice performance in the pentathlon.”
All in all, it was a good meet for the Buffs. Most of the team will be off until the Husky Classic (February 13-14), but a few athletes will compete at the University of Washington Invitational January 31.
2015 AIR FORCE INVITATIONAL
Cadet Field House (U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.)
Track Events
Women's Mile: (1. Alicia Nelson, BRC/adidas, 5:00.56) 2. Maddie Alm, 5:05.55; 3. Erin Clark, 5:06.46; 8. Melanie Nun, 5:21.88
Men's Mile: 1. Ben Saarel, 4:12.30; 3. Morgan Pearson, 4:13.90; 4. Ammar Moussa, 4:15.82; 5. Adam Peterman, 4:23.19; 8. Chris Herrick, 4:26.57
Men's 60-Meter Hurdles (finals): 1. Jaron Thomas, 8.20
Women's 60-Meters (finals): 1. Ana Holland, 7.52
Men's 60-Meters (finals): (1. Chaz Butler, ASC, 6.75) 10. Austin Mitsch, 6.97
Women's 400-Meters (finals): (1. Susan Meinders, UNC, 56.40) 2. Lindsy Mattson, 56.86
Women's 800-Meters: (1. Carina Gillespie, AFA, 2:15.55) 6. Eryn Blakely, 2:18.64
Men's 800-Meters: (1. Ricky Faure, UW, 1:53.06) 5. Jake Hurysz, 1:55.75
Women's 200-Meters (finals): (1. Leah Fair, CSU, 24.65) 3. Tashay Brown, 24.79
Men's 200-Meters (prelims): (1. Jaishawn Thompson, Colby CC, 21.50) 12. Austin Mitsch, 22.55
Women's 3,000-Meters: (1. Alicia Nelson, BRC/Adidas, 10:04.98) 2. Kaitlyn Benner, 10:05.23; 4. Annie Kelly, 10:18.62; 5. Val Constien, 10:18.88; 14. Mandy Ortiz, 11:08.17
Men's 3,000-Meters: 1. Pierce Murphy, 8:38.92; 2. Ryan Forsyth, 8:42.51; 3. Paul Miller, 8:42.79; 12. Joe Holvey, 9:42.59
Women's Mile Relay: (1. Colorado State, 3:49.72) 2. Colorado, 3:51.80
Men's Mile Relay: (1. BYU, 3:14.11) 3. Colorado, 3:18.90
Field Events
Men's Shot Put: (1. Zachary Stetler, BYU, 59-7) 5. Alex Kizirian, 55-0; 20. Matt Walker, 41-11.25
Women's Shot Put: (1. Aaliyh Smith, 54-10) 6. Mariah Walker, 41-1.25
Men's High Jump: (1. Taylor Smith, AFA, 7-1.50) 3. Mark Jones, 7-0.25
Women's High Jump: 1. Rajon O'Quinn, 5-8.75
Players Mentioned
