Oklahoma State University Athletics
Lowe Hits Automatic Mark in Seattle
February 12, 2010 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Feb. 12, 2010
SEATTLE -- Oklahoma State's Cowboy track team completed its first day of competition at the Husky Classic in Seattle on Friday with sophomore Colby Lowe notching an NCAA automatic qualifying mark in the 5,000 meters.
Lowe, the 2009 USA Track and Field Junior National Champion in the 5,000 meters, finished with a time of 13.45.01 which was good for second place. The NCAA automatic mark in the 5,000 meters is 13:47.00. His time was more than 12 seconds better than his previous personal best in the event.
It was the first NCAA automatic qualifying mark for the Southlake, Texas, native, who also notched an NCAA provisional time in the 3,000 meters at the Razorback Invite in Fayetteville, Ark., on Jan. 22.
Lowe's time was the second best time in the country for the indoor season, bested only by Liberty's Sam Chelenga who posted a 13:44.16 at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., on Friday. Chelenga, who made his season debut on Friday, is the 2009 NCAA cross country individual champion.
Freshman Joseph Manilafasha and junior Ryan Little also suited up for the Cowboys in the 5,000 meters finishing with times of 14.24.70 and 14.55.50, respectively.
The Cowboys return to action tomorrow with a busy day of distance running on the second and final day of competition at the Husky Classic.
Also on Saturday morning in Spokane, Wash., freshmen Taylor Monaghan, Matt Perez and Michael Lynch will compete in the USA Junior Cross Country Championships. Former Cowboys Ryan Vail and David Janikowski will compete in the USA Senior Cross Country Championships.
Husky Classic - Seattle
5,000 Meters
2 Colby Lowe 13.45.01*
49 Joseph Manilafasha 14.24.70
74 Ryan Little 14.55.40
*NCAA Automatic Qualifying Mark
