Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Distance Medley Relay Breaks School Record
March 01, 2013 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
March 1, 2013
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -
The Oklahoma State men's indoor distance medley relay team of Kirubel Erassa, Raul Botezan, Tyler Payton and Tom Farrell ran the relay in 9:28.38, breaking a school record and qualifying for nationals to lead the OSU men's and women's track and field teams at the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Ind., on Friday.
Even though the Cowboys finished fourth in the event, their time beat the previous top time in the NCAA by more than three seconds, guaranteeing they will run the event at the NCAA championships next weekend in Fayetteville, Ark.
"They went out, competed and each guy ran the best he had this year," OSU coach Dave Smith said. "Kirubel [Erassa] led us off and did fantastic, keeping us near the top, Tyler Payton ran a great quarter, Raul [Botezan] ran the 800 of a lifetime and Tom Farrell moved up to get us second place in our heat. Each guy had his best day of the year."
Fourteen DMR teams beat the nation's previous time in South Bend on Friday. The top 12 times qualify for the NCAA meet.
At the Columbia Final Qualifier Event in New York City, Girma Mecheso ran the 5,000 meters in 13:45.60, which is good enough for No. 17 in the NCAA. The top 16 qualify for nationals, meaning if another runner scratches for whatever reason, Mecheso will qualify.
"It was a tough race for Girma [Mecheso]," Smith said. "That race was stacked--they broke the american record for the 5k. He was basically running by himself, which is always tougher. You never know. Some guys in front of him qualified for multiple events and could decide not to do the 5k."
On the women's side in South Bend, Monika Juodeskaite ran the 5,000 meters in 16:19.79 to finish fifth in the event. That time is good enough to crack the top 50 in the nation, at no. 42.
The OSU men's and women's track and field teams will be back in action next weekend, March 8-9, at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.
Columbia Final Qualifier
March 1-2/ The Armory/ New York City
Men's Individual Results
5,000 Meters
6. Girma Mecheso - 13:45.60
Alex Wilson Invitational
March 1-2/ Loftus Sports Center/ South Bend, Ind.
Men's Individual Results
Distance Medley Relay
4. Oklahoma State - 9:28.38*^
Women's Individual Results
5,000 Meters
5. Monika Juodeskaite - 16:19.79
Distance Medley Relay
-- Oklahoma State - DNF
* - Denotes School Record
^ - Denotes NCAA Qualification
