Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Set for NCAA Midwest Regional Championships
May 25, 2006 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
The Cowgirls, who posted nine qualifiers last season, qualified eight this year. With only seven making the trip, junior Mary Davies elected to stay home in preparation for the 10,000-meter run at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 8-11.
“(Mary) has proven to be an elite runner,” Cowgirl head coach Rene Sepulveda said. ”We feel that if she goes into the national meet 100 percent, she can finish in the top eight.
“Earning All-American honors was an accomplishment that she looked forward to last season and again this season.”
Senior Cody Birk, who is ranked 11th in the region in the long jump, will be embarking on her first regional meet. Junior triple jumper, Zivile Siksnelyte will be competing in her first regional meet as well.
Junior Eva Slavikova and sophomore Eva Tomankova could be the pieces of the puzzle that OSU needs in the distance events. Slavikova will enter the 5,000-meter run with the fifth-best time in the region, while Tomankova enters ranked No. 6 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Senior Alison Erzinger, who earned All-American honors last season, is ranked third and will represent the Cowgirls in the 400-meter hurdles.
The Pokes will look to get additional support from sophomore throwers, Deleanor Kirkpatrick and LaKendra Greathouse. Kirkpatrick enters the hammer throw ranked 21st, while Greathouse is rated No. 15 in the shot put.
The top five finishers from each event will advance to the national championship meet. NCAA could also award as many as five at-large selections in each event.
The University of Texas will play the host to the regional meet, as events are set to kickoff at 2 p.m. at the Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium.
