Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Day 2
Clark, Winter Earn Trip To NCAAs
May 29, 2015 | Track and Field
AUSTIN, Texas – University of Colorado runners Erin Clark and Connor Winter each earned a trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Friday night at the NCAA West Preliminary Round.
Winter, a junior, earned his spot at nationals after finishing second in the first heat of the steeplechase to take one of the three automatic qualifying positions. He clocked in at 8:49.88, just behind heat winner Stanley Kebenei (Arkansas) who finished in 8:49.57.
“The only instruction I gave him was to keep the race honest because he had all of the heats coming behind him,” head coach Mark Wetmore said. “He was upfront and out of the crowd and had clear sight lines. He ran a very smart and businesslike race for a guy who is a novice to this event.”
Winter was almost joined by redshirt freshman Adam Peterman, who narrowly missed advancing to nationals by .21 seconds. Peterman was fourth in the third section and just missed one of the three time advancement positions after clocking in at 8:50.72. Senior Blake Theroux also ran at the preliminary round and finished 15th (9:19.88) in Peterman's heat.
“That race was a bigger pack going fast than either of the other two races,” Wetmore said. “With a lap to go, he was eighth and it didn't look like there was any chance at all. But he closed very well and he gunned down a few people in the final straight away. He was the highest freshman at the meet. It was a nice rebound from a disappointing conference meet. I think he is happy with the race; I definitely am.”
Clark became the fourth Buff to ever finish the women's steeplechase in less than 10 minutes after clocking a 9:59.67 for a personal best in the first heat. She had to wait for her fate since she didn't finish in the top three of her heat (fourth), but Clark's time was the fastest of the time qualifiers, sending her to her hometown of Eugene, Ore. in two weeks for nationals.
“She ran her fastest time ever in slightly difficult conditions and advanced through and we are thrilled,” Wetmore said.
UMKC's Courtney Frerichs, who has the fastest time in the national this season (9:32.12), won Clark's heat in 9:48.30, which was also the fastest time of the evening. Clark's teammate, freshman Val Constien, was in the same group and placed 11th in 10:46.63 to end her season.
In other action, senior Alex Kizirian ended his stellar career with a 22nd place finish in the hammer throw (198-9). Kizirian is CU's indoor weight throw (70-8) and outdoor hammer throw (212-4) record holder.
Sophomore Jaron Thomas was sixth in his section of the 110-meter hurdles, crossing the finish in 14.22. The time placed 31st overall. CU had a pair of Buffs in the 200, redshirt freshman Ana Holland and sophomore Austin Mitsch. Holland clocked a time of 23.81 to place fifth in her section, 27th overall, while Mitsch finished 37th in 21.40 after placing sixth in his section.
The NCAA West Preliminary Round will wrap-up on Saturday.
2015 NCAA WEST PRELIMINARY ROUND
Mike A Myers Stadium (University of Texas)
Austin, Texas
Track Events
Men's 110-Meter Hurdles (first round): 1. Omar McLeod, Arkansas, 13.36) 31. Jaron Thomas, 14.22
Women's 200 (first round): (1. Kamaria Brown, Texas A&M, 22.66) 27. Ana Holland, 23.81
Men's 200 (first round): (1. Travon Bromell, Baylor, 20.13) 37. Austin Mitsch, 21.40
Women's 3,000-meter steeplechase (quarterfinals): (1. Courtney Frerichs, UMKC, 9:48.30) 6. Erin Clark, 9:59.67; 34. Val Constien, 10:46.63
Men's 3,000-meter steeplechase (quarterfinals): (1. Anthony Rotich, UTEP, 8:42.90) 10. Connor Winter, 8:49.88; 13. Adam Peterman, 8:50.72; Blake Theroux, 9:19.88
Field Events
Men's Hammer Throw (first round): (1. Conor McCullough, USC, 246-1) 22. Alex Kizirian, 198-9/60.58
Players Mentioned
