Colorado University Athletics
Nixon Takes Second At AFA Invite
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. ? University of Colorado sophomore James Nixon finished second overall in the unseeded section of the pole vault at the Air Force Invitational on Friday at Cadet Field House.
Nixon finished with a personal record of 16 feet, 0.75 inches, clearing it with his first attempt. The mark makes him the fifth best performer at CU in the pole vault and is the best vault since 1995 when Scott Porter recorded a mark of 16-04.75. This also places Nixon seventh on the all-time performance list and ties for 10th overall in the Big 12. He cleared his first three heights (14-07.25, 15-01 and 15-07) on the first attempt before missing three tries at 16-06.75. Rob Simmons (Air Force Academy) won with a height of 16-06.75.
"James is an exceptional athlete who has been training with intense focus,” assistant coach Lindsey Malone said. “I am very proud of how well he competed today and am very happy for his achievement. His performance was fantastic and yet it only scratches the surface of his abilities. This is a very exciting time and I'm greatly looking forward to what lies ahead for James."
Many of the track events on the Friday schedule were qualifying rounds for Saturday and several Buffs advanced in those events. Brianne Beemer won her heat of the 400-meter dash in 58.42 seconds to advance and had the fifth best time overall. She finished first in the fifth heat, defeating Wayland Baptist’s Demetrice Gilliam by 2.74 seconds.
A pair of CU women qualified for the finals in the 800-meter run. Brooke Regan and Precious Lyons each ran in the second heat and placed fifth and seventh, respectively, overall to advance to the next round. Regan finished third in the section with a time of 2:22.93 and Lyons was fifth, clocking a time of 2:30.61.
In the men’s 800, Travis Putnam qualified for the finals. He finished fifth overall with a time of 1:58.70.
Some of the CU sprinters are in action at the Iowa State Classic at Lied Recreational Center in Ames, Iowa. A.J. Whitaker led the Buffaloes in the 200 as he finished 25th overall in a field of 140 competitors. He recorded a time of 22.15 in the effort. Quinton Dodson placed 39th overall, crossing the finish in 22.27.
The Buffs will wrap up action at the AFA Invite and ISU Classic on Saturday. Several members of the distance team will also compete on Saturday at the Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash.
AIR FORCE COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL
Cadet Field House (Air Force Academy, Colo.)
Men’s Track Events (CU Athletes Only)?
Men’s 400-Meters (qualifying): (1.Caleb McLean, Wayland Baptist, 48.66) 30. Jordan Aguilar-Wynn, 51.22; 43. Eddie Taylor, 53.11
Men’s 800-Meters (qualifying): (1. Golden Coachman, Army WCAP, 1:53.31) 5. Travis Putnam, 1:58.70q; 24. Eddie Taylor, 2:14.43
Women’s Track Events (CU Athletes Only)
Women’s 200-Meters (qualifying): (1. Kimberly Smith, Wayland Baptist, 24.34) 26. Amber Rozier, 26.22; 36. Jennifer Gruver, 26.89
Women’s 400-Meters (qualifying): (1. Jennifer Grossarth, unattached, 54.31) 5. Brianne Beemer, 58.42q; 30. Renata Garbowski, 61.91; 39. Catie Grandi, 62.71; 40. Precious Lyons, 63.04; 48. Stephanie Echer, 64.92
Women’s 800-Meters (qualifying): (1. Morgan Thomas, Metro State, 2:17.58) 6. Brooke Regan, 2:22.93q; 13. Precious Lyons, 2:30.61q
Men’s Field Events (CU Athletes Only)?
Men’s Pole Vault (unseeded): (1. Rob Simmons, AFA, 16-06.75) 2. James Nixon, 16-00.75; t20. Adam Salzmann, 14-01.25
Men’s Long Jump: (1. Jeramiah James, UW, 24-10.00) 11. Tyler Thompson, 22-07.75
Men’s Weight Throw: (1. Drew Loftin, unattached, 69-11.75) 21. Michael Field, 46-08.75; 25. Cameron Hutchins, 45-06.59; 29. Nathan Talbott, 43-10.75; 36. Niklas Cederstrom, 36-10.50
Women’s Field Events (CU Athletes Only)?
Women’s Weight Throw: (1. Alena Krechyk, Kansas, 63-06.75) 18. Emily Hunsucker, 44-03.25; 26. Molly Potter, 41-06.00; 35. Kirsten Wicks, 36-08.50; 41. Kali Gajewski, 31-09.25
ISU CLASSIC
Lied Recreational Center (Ames, Iowa)
Women’s 200-Meter (finals): (1. Kineke Alexander, unattached, 23.91) 96. Joi Windham, 26.69; 104. Toi Windham, 26.88
Men’s 200-Meters (prelims): (1. Lancford, Davis, unattached, 21.20) 25. A.J. Whitaker, 22.15; 39. Quinton Dodson, 22.27; t51. Kyle MacIntosh, 22.42; 74. Adrian Gomez, 22.63; 93. Matthew McCathran, 22.89
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