Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
NCAA Championships
OSU Track Wraps Up NCAA Indoor Championships
March 10, 2012 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
March 10, 2012
NAMPA, Idaho. – The Oklahoma State track and field program wrapped up competition at the NCAA Indoor Championships on Saturday, hosted by Boise State at the Jackson Indoor Track.
Cowgirl sophomore Natalja Piliusina notched a runner-up finish in the 800-meter final after posting a time of 2:04.48. The second-place finish matches a career high for Piliusina at an NCAA event, as she placed second in the 800 meters at the 2011 outdoor championships.
“I think she's always going to be in the hunt to win championships,” coach Dave Smith said. “She's a heck of an athlete and she trains the right way, she's durable, she stays healthy. Winning (an individual national championship) is very tough, but like I said, I think she's always going to be in the hunt to win them.”
In the men's one mile final, junior Raul Botezan ran a 4:02.90 to place eighth. Botezan and Piliusina were the only OSU runners to score at the national meet. Sophomore Kirubel Erassa placed 10th in the mile, running a 4:04.36.
“The mile, I thought was a great day for two guys that had never been to the national championship before,” Smith said. “Their first time running in a national meet, it's a high pressure situation. They're both underclassmen and I thought they did a great job.”
Junior Tom Farrell placed ninth in the 3,000 meters after running a 7:55.09. Farrell improved upon his 16th-place finish in the 3,000 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships a season ago.
“Tom was probably in the most competitive field of the meet,” Smith said. “I think that 3,000-meter field was incredibly tough with super tough athletes. There's definitely some future Olympians in that group and I thought Tom held his own. He came in ranked 16th and finished ninth.”
The track and field team will begin the outdoor season when it travels to Tulsa to compete at the Tulsa Duals next Saturday, March 17.
NCAA Indoor Championships
March 10, 2012 | Nampa, Idaho | Jackson Indoor Track
Women's 800 Meter Run
2. Natalja Piliusina – 2:04.48
Men's 1 Mile Run
8. Raul Botezan – 4:02.90
10. Kirubel Erassa – 4:04:36
Men's 3,000 Meter Run
9. Tom Farrell – 7:55.09
