Oklahoma State University Athletics
Piliusina Advances to the NCAA Final Rounds
May 27, 2011 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
May 27, 2011
EUGENE, Ore. – Oklahoma State's Natalja Piliusina has provided highlights for Cowgirl track and field all season. Friday at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds was no different, as the freshman won her heat of the 800 meters quarterfinal to advance to the NCAA Championships Final Rounds.
The Klaipeda, Lithuania native, who holds the school record in the event, finished first in her heat with a time of 2:06.70.
She joins Colby Lowe (men's 10,000m) and Tone Hjalmarson (women's 10,000m) as OSU athletes to advance to the final rounds of nationals, with five more scheduled to compete Saturday for a chance at the final rounds.
Senior Clarissa Andrews nearly joined that group today with her triple jump of 12.69 meters (41-7 ¾), but finished in 13th place, just one away from qualifying.
A pair of Cowboys also competed Friday, as Taylor Buck placed 22nd in the triple jump at 2.06 meters (6-9) and Taylor Monaghan placed 26th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with his time of 9:07.10.
Oklahoma State returns to action Saturday for the third and final day of the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds. Its schedule includes the women's discus throw first round at 10 a.m., women's 1,500 meters quarterfinal at 1:30 p.m., men's 1,500 meters quarterfinal at 1:45 p.m., men's discus throw first round at 3:30 p.m. and men's 5,000 meter semifinal at 3:45 p.m. All times listed are for the Pacific Time Zone.
A total of 12 athletes from each of Saturday's event will advance to the NCAA Championships Final Rounds, held June 8-11 at Drake in Des Moines, Iowa.
NCAA West Preliminary Rounds (Day 2)
May 27, 2011 | Hayward Field | Eugene, Ore.
Men's High Jump First Round
22 Taylor Buck - 2.06m/6-9
Men's 3,000m Steeplechase Quarterfinal
26 Taylor Monaghan - 9:07.10
Women's 800m Quarterfinal
12 Natalja Piliusina - 2:06.70 Q
Women's Triple Jump First Round
13 Clarissa Andrews - 12.69m/41-7 ¾
