Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Big 12 Outdoor Championships
Cowboys Grab Top Two Spots in 1,500 Prelims
May 15, 2010 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
May 15, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Oklahoma State's Johnathan Stublaski and Tom Farrell each won their heats in the 1,500 meters Saturday to qualify in the top two spots for Sunday's Big 12 Championships finals.
Stublaski ran the second-fastest time of his season, clocking a 3:43.93 in the first heat. The Eagan, Minn., native finished less than a quarter of a second ahead of Iowa State's Brandon Rooney.
The top two times in each heat qualified for the finals, along with the next two-fastest times. Both wildcard qualifiers came from Stublaski's heat.
In the third heat, Farrell coasted to the win with a 3:47.95, more than five seconds behind his fastest time of the season. The Carlisle, U.K., native debuted in the outdoor season just two weeks ago at the Arkansas Twilight.
“Stublaski and Farrell looked great. Stubs pushed the pace early and kind of over-powered everybody,” Cowboy coach Dave Smith said. “Tom's race was a little slower so he just sat back and blew everyone away in the last quarter.”
The Cowboys looked to have three qualifiers in the finals, but a lower leg injury to Raul Botezan caused him to be unable to finish heat two.
Sunday's 1,500 meter finals are set to begin at 4 p.m.
“I think they both have a chance to win it tomorrow and they have contrasting styles, so it will be fun to watch,” Smith said.
Other members of the Cowboy track team will be in action Sunday as well in the 3,000 meter steeplechase and the 5,000 meters. OSU boasts the favorites in the 5,000 meters with John Kosgei, who won the 10,000 meter title yesterday, and Colby Lowe.
“John and Colby are obviously amongst the favorites,” Smith said. “There are two guys from OU that are running fresh that are very good as well. Last year, we won the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 and we've already won the 10,000 this year and I think we can win the other two as well.”
Big 12 Championships – OSU Results
1,500 Meter Prelims
1 Johnathan Stublaski 3:43.93
2 Tom Farrell 3:47.95
20 Sean Fleming 3:58.57
21 Brad McNiff 3:58.87
-- Raul Botezan DNF
Team Standings through four events
1 Nebraska 31 points
2 Oklahoma 25 points
3 Colorado 18 points
4 Texas 13 points
5 Missouri 12 points
5 Iowa State 12 points
7 Texas A &M 11 points
8 Kansas 10 points
8 Oklahoma State 10 points
10 Baylor 6 points
11 Kansas State 5 points
12 Texas Tech 3 points
