Saarel Advances To Finals in the 1,500 Meters

Wednesday, June 7

Eugene, Ore.

1:30 PM

Colorado

NCAA Championships

June 07, 2017 | Track and Field

Results

By: Maggie Still, Assistant SID

Eugene, Ore. – University of Colorado junior Ben Saarel kicked off the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the Buffs here Wednesday as he qualified for finals in the 1,500 meters, which is scheduled for Friday.

WHAT HAPPENED
There were two heats of the 1,500 and the top five advance per heat plus the next two times. Saarel, determined to make finals, popped right out into front and set the pace quickly. He clocked 58.8 at the 400 meter mark and kept pushing the pace. Saarel held the lead all the way through the 1,100 meter mark and ran steady. The first heat was faster than the second as all top five finishers clocked 3:40 times. Saarel finished fifth in his heat with a solid 3:40.71 to automatically advance.

This marks Saarel's first appearance in the finals event for the 1,500 meters. He is also the CU record holder for the event with a 3:39.77 time and will compete in finals on Friday at 6:42 p.m.

UP NEXT
The women will start action at the Championships on Thursday. A complete schedule of how and when to watch Dani Jones, Madison Boreman, Sage Hurta, Erin Clark and Makena Morley can be found below.

2017 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Hayward Field (Eugene, Ore.)

Men 1,500 Meters: (1. Craig Engels, Ole Miss, 3:40.07) 5. Ben Saarel, 3:40.71

FOLLOW ALONG
Social: @CUBuffsTrack
Live Results: http://www.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/external/track-field/results/d1/outdoor17/final/index.htm
Live Stream ESPN: http://www.espn.com/watch/

SCHEDULE
Below is a schedule of who is competing in each event on each day for the Buffs.

Thursday June 8, Women Track Events

TIME (MT)	EVENT	ROUND	NAME	BEST TIME	NATIONAL RANKING
5:46	1,500	Semis	*Dani Jones*	4:12.68	8^th
6:02	Steeplechase	Semis	Madison Boreman	10:06.83	16th
			*Sage Hurta*	10:07.87	19^th
8:08	10k	FINAL	*Erin Clark*	33:23.92	7th
		FINAL	*Makena Morley*	3:29.22	8^th

Friday June 9, Men Track Events

TIME (MT)	EVENT	ROUND	NAME	BEST TIME	NATIONAL RANKING
6:42	1,500	FINAL	*Ben Saarel*	3:40.24
8:25	5k	FINAL	*Joe Klecker*	13:42.64	12^th
		FINAL	*John Dressel*	13:44.56	15^th
		FINAL	Zach Perrin	13:46.09	17th

Saturday June 10, Men Track Events

TIME (MT)	EVENT	ROUND	NAME	BEST TIME	NATIONAL RANKING
4:41	1,500	FINAL	*Dani Jones*	4:12.68	*If Advances
6:25	5k	FINAL	*Erin Clark*	16:11.32	67th