Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Vail Advances to 5k Final at NCAA Championships
June 11, 2009 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
June 11, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Oklahoma State men's track and field team began its competition at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships early Thursday morning, as senior standout Ryan Vail advanced to the 5,000 meters final after finishing 15th in the semifinal heats.
The event, originally scheduled for 9:25 p.m. Wednesday, was delayed until after 12:30 a.m. due to heavy rainfall and lighting in the area.
Vail, who earned All-America honors with a fifth-place finish in the event last year, finished with a time of 14:02.67, his second-best time in the event this season. Freshman Colby Lowe joined Vail in the event, crossing the line in 17th place at the 14:07.38 mark,
“Weather definitely played a factor, but it wasn't just for me,” Vail said. “Everyone's out here running at one in the morning and in the humidity. I felt great until there were about a hundred meters to go and then it got real tough. I just wanted to finish in the top six of my heat. I was fighting for good position and I held it until that last straightaway. ”
Lowe was the highest non-qualifying finisher in the event, only about three seconds from qualifying for the final.
“I was really hoping that with Colby and Ryan running together that we could get Colby into the finals,” coach Dave Smith said. “Colby did a good job of putting himself in the mix. He's just not old enough or strong enough yet to push from the start. He almost made it though and just missed by three seconds.”
The 5,000 meters final is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. Friday.
Oklahoma State returns to action on Thursday when German Fernandez, the Big 12 and Midwest Region Outdoor Performer of the Year, runs in the 1,500-meter semifinal and Merritt Dietz begins competition for the women's team in the discus throw qualifying round. Fernandez is scheduled to run at 8:10 p.m., while Dietz's event is set for 10:30 a.m.
