Colorado University Athletics
Saarel Tabbed Academic All-District
BOULDERGÇö University of Colorado sophomore Ben Saarel has been named to the Capital One All-District 7 MenGÇÖs Track and Field/Cross Country team, the College Sports Information Directors of American (CoSIDA) announced.
Saarel, a Salt Lake City, Utah native, has recorded an impressive 3.99 grade point average as an engineering physics major while competing on both the cross country and track and field teams.
He has been very busy for the Buff this season, starting in the fall on the cross country course. Saarel helped the Buffs to their second straight NCAA Championship, as well as their fourth consecutive Pac-12 Conference title. The team also won the NCAA Mountain Region Championship. Individually, Saarel recorded his second All-America cross country honor, placing seventh at the meet as CUGÇÖs No. 2 runner. He also earned all-region honors with a 13th place finish and was All-Pac-12 Second Team, finishing eighth at the league meet.
Saarel transitioned well to the track in the winter. During the indoor season, he started off by winning the mile run in 4:12.30 at the Air Force Open (1/24). He moved up to the 5k in his next race, and placed 14th in 13:58.19. SaarelGÇÖs final race of the season was the 3k at the MPSF Championships where he finished 12th in 7:57.73.
The outdoor season has brought more success for Saarel. He has focused on the 1,500-meter run and placed third overall at the Pac-12 Championships, finishing in 3:46.90. Saarel ran the fastest time this season for the Buffs at the 3:41.85 during the preliminary round at the conference meet. That time ranked 14th in west region and qualified Saarel for the NCAA West Preliminary Championship this Thursday-Saturday in Austin, Texas.