Oklahoma State University Athletics
Piliusina, Fernandez Win Heats At NCAA Preliminary
May 25, 2012 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
May 25, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas - Five of the seven Oklahoma State track and field athletes competing Thursday at day one of the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds advanced to the regional finals of their respective events.
The distance running events were particularly challenging because of the hot and sticky weather conditions that the athletes dealt with at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
All three Cowboys competing in the 1,500 meter run advanced to Saturday's regional final, led by German Fernandez, whose 3:50.23 was good enough to win heat two. Fernandez won the 2009 NCAA title in this event as a freshman and the Oklahoma State coaches say he is regaining his form at the right time this season. Teammates Raul Botezan and Shane Moskowitz placed fourth and fifth in heat three by crossing the finish line in 3:51.90 and 3:51.91, respectively.
"German looked good. The guys in his heat were running hard and he out-kicked them to win," Coach Dave Smith said. "I'm proud of all three of our guys in the 1,500 - it's kind of like survive and advance once you get to this point."
Cowboy Girma Mecheso entered the men's 10,000 meter run as the Oklahoma State school record holder in the event and was ranked seventh in the nation during this outdoor season, but had to narrowly squeak his way into the top 12 with a 12th-place finish that wasn't officially granted until after a lengthy video review showed Mecheso earned a spot in the NCAA final. He ran the race in 30:20.15. Teammate Shadrack Kipchirchir also suited up for the 10,000 meters, but stepped off the track about two-thirds of the way in.
On the women's side, Natalja Piliusina began her march toward a potential NCAA title when she won heat four of the 1,500 meters in 4:29.43 to advance to Saturday's regional final. Piliusina is ranked No. 1 nationally in the event after she ran a 4:09.51 at the Payton Jordan Invitational earlier in the season. Saturday's regional final will be notable because the No. 1-ranked Piliusina will go head-to-head against her top challenger, No. 2-ranked Katie Flood of Washington, who also won her heat on Thursday.
"The heat was probably a factor, but Natalja didn't run her best race today. She still did enough to win her heat and advance," Smith said.
Cowgirl Caileigh Glenn also competed in the 1,500 meters, but fell short of qualifying for the regional final after running a 4:48.45 to place 11th in heat four. Only the top five runners in each heat plus the next four fastest times advanced.
Action resumes at the meet tomorrow, with women's high jumper Toni Young and men's hammer thrower Nick Miller headlining the list of Oklahoma State competitors. Fabian Clarkson, Taylor Monaghan and Nick Thorp will suit up for the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase and Kate Kujawa will be in the field for the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase.
2012 NCAA West Preliminary Rounds
May 24, 2012 | Mike A. Myers Stadium | Austin, Texas
Men's 1,500 meters (prelims)
Heat 2
1. German Fernandez - 3:50.23
Heat 3
4. Raul Botezan - 3:51.90
5. Shane Moskowitz - 3:51.91
Men's 10,000 meters (national semifinal - top 12 advance)
12. Girma Mecheso - 30:20.15
-- Shadrack Kipchirchir - DNF
Women's 1,500 meters (prelims)
Heat 4
1. Natalja Piliusina - 4:29.43
11. Caileigh Glenn - 4:48.45
