Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Coaches Perform Well at European Cup
June 22, 2006 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
“It's good having two of our coaches competing against some of the best athletes in the world,” Cowgirl head coach Rene Sepulveda said. “Both have been great teachers on and off the field.”
The prestigious meet was held in four different countries - Greece, Serbia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Pukstas, who was a qualifier for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, had the most impressive performances after claiming victories in the 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter runs, in Serbia.
In the 3k, Pukstas ran a time of 8:24.97 as he finished less than a second ahead of Serbia's Mirko Petrovic to claim the title. In the 5k, Pukstas ran a time of 14:08.92, with Serbia's Dusan Markesevic and Bulgaria's Stanislav Lambev rounded out the top three.
Pukstas now advances to the European Championships after claiming victories in the events.
Pukstiene, who is a two-time Lithuanian national champion in the triple jump, failed to qualify for the championships after finishing sixth with a jump of 41'6” (12.69-meters) in Greece. Greece's Hrisopiyi Devetzi took the top spot with a jump of 47'4” (14.44-meters).
The husband-and-wife tandem are also expected to compete in the Lithuanian National Championships in July.
