Colorado University Athletics
Vaughn Wins Second 5k Regional Title
DES MOINES,
In winning the race, Vaughn broke his own record of 13:59.39, set back in 2005 when he won the 5k title for the first time.
“It felt good (to break the regional record),” Vaughn said. “The point is to come out and get in the top five and I was happy that I qualified myself for the NCAA meet because that is what we have been training for. I got done what I needed to get done.”
Vaughn started the race in the front pack and took the lead with two miles to go. Jeremy Johnson of
“Every time you go out, you want to compete hard,” Vaughn said. “So there is no sense in going out and running for the top five. Everyone is trying to win so it felt good to win a race and I got what I needed to get.”
Vaughn also won the Big 12 Outdoor 5k title two weeks ago in
Kenyon Neuman finished seventh in the 5k, crossing the line at 14:13.92.
Hazen recorded a throw of 204-10, just one centimeter out of fourth place to become the first male thrower to compete at the national championship since Matt Lepsis competed in the discus in 1996.
Warfield-Ruffatto recorded a throw of 164-06 in her fifth throw and became the first female javelin thrower to qualify for NCAAs. She is just the second female javelin thrower to advance to nationals behind Michelle Irving in 1975.
“They came into this meet high up on the national list and could have very easily gotten at-large bids for NCAAs,” assistant coach Casey Malone said. “For both of them to come here and qualify automatically is huge. It’s absolutely outstanding and I couldn’t be happier for both of them.
“They continued with their consistency from conference and had another big meet were they both performed very maturely. Both of them are staying constituent at an elite level and it’s very exciting to see. They went through a big transition. Both of them did a great job and kept their cool at a very big meet with a lot of pressure on them.”
Sara Ensrud earned a mark of 4:23.61 as she advanced to the finals in the 1,500 meters. The time was good enough for seventh-place and was fourth in the second heat.
The men’s 4x100-meter relay team finished second in their heat to qualify for the finals tomorrow with a time of 40.00. The team consisted of George Pincock, Jeremy Dodson, Ryan Campbell and Trae Pflueger. The relay was third-best time in the prelims.
Dodson qualified in the 200-meter dash. He won the first heat in a time of 20.70, the best mark of the prelims.
The Buffs will wrap up action at the Midwest Regional tomorrow with the finals of the preliminary events held today. Big 12 Champions Billy Nelson and Jenny Barringer will race in the 3,000-meter steeplechase finals. Barringer will be looking to defend her Midwest Regional crown from 2006. Ryan Willis will throw the shot put and the finals in the 1,500-meter run will feature Stephen Pifer, Anthony Chiulli and Rob Thayer.
2007 NCAA
Field Events (CU Athletes Only)
Women’s Javelin: 5. Hannah Warfield-Ruffatto, 164-06
Men’s Hammer Throw: 5. Zach Hazen,
Track Events (CU Athletes Only)
Men’s 4x100-Meter Relay (prelims): 3.
Women’s 1,500-Meters (prelims): 7. Sara Ensrud, 4:23.61
Men’s 100 Meters (prelims): 7. Ryan Campbell, 10.44
Men’s 400 Meters (prelims): 14. Chris Abuan, 47.09
Men’s 200 Meters (prelims): 1. Jeremy Dodson, 20.79; 12. Ryan Campbell, 21.20
Men’s 5,000 Meters: 1. Brent Vaughn, 13:57.36; 7. Kenyon Neuman, 14:13.92
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