OSU Track Collects Three Wins at Arkansas Twilight

Friday, May 4

Fayetteville, Ark.

All Day

Oklahoma State University

Arkansas Twilight

May 04, 2012 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

May 4, 2012

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Oklahoma State track and field program closed out the regular season on Friday at the Arkansas Twilight meet, hosted by the University of Arkansas, with a trio of first place finishes and a number of personal bests.

One of the most important performances of the night may have come from Cowboy star German Fernandez, who ran a season best of 3:43.88 in the 1,500 meters for a second place finish. He finished just .56 seconds off the leader, but more importantly, coach Dave Smith said he looks in form to be a factor for OSU at the Big 12 Championships next weekend.

“For us, German Fernandez is one of the keys to our team, and I really wanted to see him do well,” Smith said. “The last time he ran the 1,500 meters, he was quite a ways off (his personal best), but tonight he came back three seconds faster at 3:43 and honestly looked the best he's looked in a long, long time.

“He competed well, lead in the second half of the race, got out-kicked in the end, but still ran much better than he has in a long time and is kind of starting to look like the old German Fernandez.”

Seven other Cowboys competed in the 1,500 meters, with two setting personal records: Justin Vilhauer (3:50.11) and Brian Gohlke (3:56.36).

For the women, Brooke Gritters placed first in the shot put with a 46 foot, six and 3/4 inch effort. That mark sets a new personal record and also checks in at No. 6 all-time at OSU.

Cowboy Nick Miller kept an impressive streak alive as the freshman took first place in the hammer throw for the fourth consecutive competition. Miller recorded a throw of 207 feet, four inches.

“(The throwers) competed well today and placed well in their events,” Smith said. “It's always competition first: you want to do well against whoever you're competing, and secondly you start looking at, 'Where are your performances ranked on the list for yourself?' They competed well and I'm happy for that.”

Toni Young placed first in the high jump for the second time in three weeks, posting a jump of five feet, 10 and 3/4 inches. She just missed connecting on jump of six feet, one and 3/4 inches, which would have set a new school and personal record.

Cowgirl freshman Monika Juodeskaite also had a solid outing, clocking a personal-best 4:28.57 in the 1,500 meters to place third.

“I was really happy with the way she competed,” Smith said. “She ran aggressively, leading part of the race, and fighting until the end. She finished third overall, but did a lot of the work in that race and set a P.R. and I think she has a lot more in the tank.”

Overall, Smith said he felt the team is in a good position heading into the Big 12 Championships after its final regular season meet.

“I think we're right where we need to be,” Smith said. “I was happy with the effort tonight. People may have been a little run down from finals week from all-nighters and doing a lot of studying, but they went out and competed well, so I think we're ready to go.”

OSU will return to the track, next weekend, May 11-13, when it travels to Manhattan, Kan., to compete at the Big 12 Championships.

Arkansas Twilight
May 4, 2012 | Fayetteville, Ark. | University of Arkansas

Women's 800 Meter Run
6. Mihaela Bobos – 2:16.27
7. Kendra Woodson – 2:17.07

Women's 1,500 Meter Run
3. Monika Juodeskaite – 4:28.57
7. Victoria Fratczak – 4:32.49
8. Victoria Hanna – 4:32.54
12. Chelsey Phoebus – 4:44.03
19. Natanya Luther – 5:01.68

Women's 3,000 Meter Run
5. Taylor Light – 10:54.26
6. Laura Heaton – 10:55.81

Women's Triple Jump
6. Clara Telford – 11.17m, 36-07.75
8. Jacy Steelman – 10.75m, 35-03.25

Women's High Jump
1. Toni Young – 1.80m, 5-10.75

Women's Shot Put
1. Brooke Gritters – 14.19m, 46-06.75

Women's Discus Throw
3. Brooke Gritters – 48.38m, 158-09
6. Gloria Moseley – 39.95m, 131-01

Women's Hammer Throw
2. Caitlin Way – 54.64m, 179-03

Men's 800 Meter Run
12. Tyler Payton – 1:54.12

Men's 1,500 Meters
2. German Fernandez – 3:43.88
10. Justin Vilhauer – 3:50.11
11. Tommy Casey – 3:50.91
13. Taylor Monaghan – 3:52.67
19. Zach Wills – 3:56.32
20. Brian Gohlke – 3:56.36
23. Klaus Schmidt – 3:59.76
25. Mark Nelson – 4:07.63
-- Neal Smith – DNF