Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
NCAA Championships
OSU Improves DMR Record at NCAAs
March 11, 2011 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Oklahoma State track and field program wrapped up its first day at the NCAA Indoor Championships with a new school record and a fifth-place finish in the women's distance medley relay.
“I was so proud of the way the girls ran today,” coach Dave Smith said. “They all ran their best race of the year in the last event and you can't ask for any more than that. They got the school record and All-America status and they deserve it because they ran an outstanding race.
The team, made up of Natalja Piliusina, Mihaela Bobos, Brandi Andrews, who was running in place of Caileigh Glenn, and Mihaela Susa, finished the event in 11:04.59 and bettered the school record they set at this year's Big 12 Championships by more than five seconds.
“I think each girl ran the best they have this year,” Smith said. “Piliusina ran a great race after running the mile earlier today, Bobos ran her best race of the year and Brandi Andrews stepped up and did a great job in place of Caileigh Glenn, who was sick. Mihaela Susa started her leg in seventh or eighth place and ran a great race to finish in fifth.”
The girls' finish also gives the Cowgirls All-America honors.
“I am so happy to be a part of this team,” Susa said. “If you would have told me at the beginning that we would be Big 12 champs and fifth at NCAAs and All American I would have thought it was crazy. I'm so proud of all the girls and I'm just so happy.”
Fellow senior Brandi Andrews was also appreciative of her final chance to run in and indoor collegiate meet.
“It means so much,” Andrews said. “Especially because I almost fell on my face the last time I ran at A&M. All the girls just ran awesome races and it felt great to be able to run one of my best races.”
OSU was also represented in the women's mile run, where Piliusina ran in the preliminary round.
The Lithuania native ran the second-fastest time of her young collegiate career with a 4:40.97, but just missed the final by one place behind West Virginia's Keri Bland, who finished less than a second faster at 4:40.15.
Two members of the men's squad take the track on the final day of the NCAA Indoor Championships Saturday, as German Fernandez and Tom Farrell compete in the 3,000 meters final at 6:55 p.m.
2011 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships (Day 1) – OSU Results
Women Distance Medley Relay Final
5 Oklahoma State 'A' - 11:04.59 (4 pts)
(Piliusina, Natalja; Bobos, Mihaela; Glenn, Caileigh; Susa, Mihaela)
Women Mile Prelim
11 Natalja Piliusina - 4:40.97
