Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Husky Classic
Murphy Wins 5k At Husky Classic
February 13, 2015 | Track and Field
SEATTLE — In a field full of talented collegiate runners, University of Colorado junior Pierce Murphy took home top honors in the 5,000-meter run on Friday night at the Husky Classic, clocking the third best time in the NCAA in the process.
Murphy outkicked two of his competitors down the stretch and finished the race in 13:39.29. He defeated UTEP's Anthony Rotich by less than a second (13:40.14) and Texas' Craig Lutz took third (13:40.30). Murphy's time also put him third on CU's all-time performers list behind Adam Goucher (13:38.23) and Brent Vaughn (13:38.30).
The other three Buffs in the race did quite well and also clocked in with personal bests. Senior Morgan Pearson and junior Ammar Moussa were leading the race around the 10 minute mark; Pearson ended up fourth (13:43.37) and Moussa placed eighth (13:48.34) to give CU three finishers under 13:50. Pearson's time is currently ninth in the nation, while Moussa's is 11th. Sophomore Ben Saarel also raced and finished 14th in 13:58.19.
“The performance we are most happy with today is Pierce's,” head coach Mark Wetmore said. “He ran a time that is very fast for him and that has always advanced to the NCAAs, so we feel very optimistic about that. Morgan's time is also very good and is probably right on the edge of making NCAAs, but we'll have to see since there aren't any automatic qualifying times anymore.
“Ammar finished just a little further back,” Wetmore went on to say. “He did a lot of leading in the race; maybe a little too much, but the rest of the race didn't seem willing so he had to take it out and pull it.”
In the women's 5k race, redshirt freshman Annie Kelly placed second in the second section with a personal best time of 16:38.27. The time was good for 21st overall after all of the heats were run.
The Buffs had a few sprinters in action as well. Redshirt freshman Ana Holland cruised to a runner-up finish in the 200, finishing in 24.49 behind Washington's Gianna Woodruff, who recorded a time of 24.43. Freshman Tashay Brown took 22nd overall with a time of 25.23. Sophomore Jaylyn Mars placed 22nd overall in the men's 200, finishing in 22.71.
CU's weight throwers were also in competition Friday. Senior Alex Kizirian recorded a second place finish with a mark of 68-5.25 and junior Brady Rutt placed ninth (57-1). Junior Sophie Hallam-Eames placed 10th with a toss of 53-10.25, while freshman Mariah Walker was 19th with a mark of 50-2.50. Senior Kellie Lind placed 25th overall (49-1). The men's weight throw was not finished at the time of this release. Senior Alex Kizirian and junior Brady Rutt were competing in the event.
“Alex is getting to be very consistent in his throws,” Wetmore said. “Only one conference person finished ahead of him so maybe he'll be a nice points scorer for us in a couple of weeks.”
The Buffs will be back in action on Saturday at the Husky Classic. Live stats are available at GoHuskies.com on the track and field schedule page.
2015 HUSKY CLASSICDempsey Indoor (Seattle, Wash.)
FIELD EVENTS
Women's Weight Throw: (1. Chioma Amaechi, Cal, 66-8.50) 10. Sophie Hallam-Eames, 53-10.25; 19. Mariah Walker, 50-2.50; 25. Kellie Lind, 49-1
Men's Weight Throw: (1. Greg Skipper, Oregon, 68-10.75) 2. Alex Kizirian, 68-5.25; 9. Brady Rutt, 57-1
TRACK EVENTS
Women's 200-Meters: (1. Gianna Woodruff, UW, 24.43) 2. Ana Holland, 24.49; 22. Tashay Brown, 25.23
Men's 200-Meters: (1. Quadelle Satterwhite, UW, 21.52) 22. Jaylyn Mars, 22.71
Men's 5,000 Meters: 1. Pierce Murphy, 13:39.29; 4. Morgan Pearson, 13:43.37; 8. Ammar Moussa, 13:48.34; 14. Ben Saarel, 13:58.19
Women's 5,000 Meters: (1. Jessica Tonn, Stan, 15:47.65) 21. Annie Kelly, 16:38.27
Players Mentioned
