Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Big 12 Championships
Seven Runners Advance at Second Day of Big 12 Championships
May 12, 2012 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
May 12, 2012
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Oklahoma State track and field program had seven athletes advance to the final round of three different events on Saturday on the second day of competition at the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by Kansas State.
Four Cowboys advanced in the preliminary round of the 1,500 meters to compete in the final race set for Sunday. Raul Botezan ran a 3:44.80 to place second in heat one, while Kirubel Erassa ran a 3:45.23 to place third in that heat and Shane Moskowitz placed fourth in heat one with a time of 3:45.90. German Fernandez placed third in heat two after running a 3:46.29.
“I thought Kirubel, Raul and Shane Moskowitz ran absolutely brilliant races,” coach Dave Smith said. “They got themselves in perfect position, never panicked. When it was time to finish, they were right there. They looked fantastic.
“To get two guys in the final is awesome. To get three: that's a home run, and we got four into the final. The 1,500 meters might be the toughest event in the Big 12 this year. It's loaded with sub-four-minute milers and All-Americans, so to get four into the final was beautiful.”
For the women, sophomore Natalja Piliusina took the top spot in heat one of the 800 meters after clocking a 2:07.39, which was the third-fastest time of the day, to advance to Sunday's final race.
“She went out there and ran a very, very safe race,” Smith said. “She sat in the back and waited until about 300 meters to go and just went out, blew by everybody and got the win and advanced to the final. She ran a technically sound race – nothing special – and did what she needed to do.”
Sophomore Caileigh Glenn and senior Teran Mixon each advanced to the final round of the 1,500 meters. Glenn finished third in heat one with a time of 4:30.31 to advance, while Mixon ran a 4:30.94 in the second heat to earn the final spot to compete in the 1,500 meter finals.
“I'm really proud of Teran Mixon,” Smith said. “She probably wasn't one of the people favored to make the final, but she got in there and ran a gutsy race, hung on, got to the finish and did absolutely what she needed to do to make the final. I'm really happy to see her make the final to close out her career.
“Caileigh Glenn is a young runner who is just starting to learn how good she is. She's finally starting to see herself as what she is, and she's one of the better runners in the Big 12. Hopefully in the next 24 hours she can see herself as a Big 12 champion, because she has that ability.”
Also for the Cowgirls, Brooke Gritters set the fourth-best effort in the shot put all-time at OSU after recording a heave of 47 feet, nine inches.
OSU will wrap up competition at the Big 12 Championships on Sunday, beginning with the women's discus throw at 1 p.m.
Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships
May 12, 2012 | Manhattan, Kan. | Kansas State University
Women's 800 Meters
2. Natalja Piliusina – 2:07.39Q
21. Mihaela Bobos – 2:15.42
Women's 1,500 Meter Run (Prelims)
6. Caileigh Glenn – 4:30.31Q
8. Teran Mixon – 4:30.94q
11. Monika Juodeskaite – 4:32.77
16. Janelle Martinez – 4:39.56
19. Chelsey Phoebus – 4:49.44
Women's Long Jump
9. Taylor Stolt – 5.50m/18-00.50
Women's Shot Put
17. Brooke Gritters – 14.55m/47-09.00
Men's 1,500 Meter Run (Prelims)
3. Raul Botezan – 3:44.80Q
5. Kirubel Erassa – 3:45.23Q
6. German Fernandez – 3:46.29Q
7. Shane Moskowitz – 3:45.90q
19. Tommy Casey – 3:51.39
23. Justin Vilhauer – 4:01.70
Team Scores as of Saturday, May 12
Men
1. Texas – 60 points
2. Kansas State – 38 points
3. Oklahoma – 24 points
4. Texas A&M – 23 points
5. Oklahoma State – 22 points
6. Missouri – 22 points
7. Kansas – 21 points
8. Iowa State – 17 points
9. Texas Tech – 6 points
10. Baylor – 1 point
Women
1. Kansas – 53.50 points
2. Texas A&M – 38.50 points
3. Oklahoma – 36 points
4. Iowa State – 28 points
4. Missouri – 28 points
6. Kansas State – 25 points
7. Texas – 24 points
8. Baylor – 19 points
9. Texas Tech – 18 points
10. Oklahoma State – 3 points
