Ripley Qualifies for Regionals at Sooner Invitational

NORMAN, Okla. Â– Oklahoma State senior Ryan Ripley became the fourth Cowboy runner to qualify for the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with his performance in Saturday's Sooner Invitational, hosted by the University of Oklahoma.

Ripley, a native of Ocala, Fla., finished first in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 3:47.03 and joined Cowboy seniors Joseph Gray and Michael Breshears and sophomore Ryan Vail on the list of OSU runners to qualify for this year's regional meet.

Ripley's time in the event is a new personal record. Also, it is currently the ninth-ranked time in the Midwest region and the sixth-ranked time in the Big 12.

“I am so excited for Ryan,” said Cowboy assistant track coach Dave Smith. “He has gone through so much since he got here as far as injuries and other setbacks. He hasn't (set a personal record) since his redshirt freshman season and I am so glad he was able to do it his senior year.”

“He is a great student and a great athlete and I am so proud of him for sticking with it and being able to go to Norman and qualify. He has worked so hard and has done everything right. He definitely deserves this.”

The Cowboys will try to qualify more runners for regionals tonight at Stanford's Cardinal Invitational.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos