Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Track And Field Wraps Up Historical NCAAs
March 09, 2013 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
March 9, 2013
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -
Nick Miller and Kirubel Erassa both had career days to highlight a historical string of All-American performances for the Oklahoma State men's and women's track and field teams in day two of the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., on Saturday.
For the championships, the OSU men had a combined seven first-team All-Americans in four different events, which is the most in school history in both categories. As a team, the men finished in eighth, with 20 points. That finish is the Cowboys' highest team finish since 1984, and the third top-10 indoor finish in school history.
In the men's weight throw, Miller entered as the No. 15 seed, but launched back-to-back personal bests in the prelims, with the second one going 21.48m/70-05.75. That was enough for fourth place, first-team All-American status and five huge team points.
"Nick [Miller] rose to the next level today," OSU Throws Coach John Baumann said. "There's no bigger stage than the NCAA championships for him to hit marks like that in the weight throw, so hitting two personal records today was incredible."
In the men's 3,000 meters, Kirubel Erassa made an incredible late charge to finish third in a personal-best 7:49.17, securing six more team points. Tom Farrell took second-team All-American honors with a 14th place finish.
“All the guys knew we had the chance to do something we hadn't done in a long time,” OSU Coach Dave Smith said. “We talked about it all season. To have three guys get personal bests in a championship setting is unbelievable. They competed so hard. It's rare for one person to achieve something like that and we had three today. I'm really proud of the way they competed.”
In the women's 800 meters, Natalja Piliusina added another indoor All-American performance to her impressive resume, finishing fifth, in 2:04.46.
NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships
March 8-9/ The Randal Tyson Track Center/ Fayetteville, Ark.
Saturday, March 9
Men's Final Team Standings
1. Arkansas - 74
2. Florida - 59
3. Wisconsin - 33
4. Texas A&M - 30
5. Texas Tech - 28
T-6. Oregon - 22
T-6. Arizona - 22
8. Oklahoma State - 20
T-9. Penn State - 19
T-9. Virginia Tech - 19
T.9. Indiana - 19
Women's Final Team Standings
1. Oregon - 56
2. Kansas - 44
3. LSU - 43
4. Arkansas - 42.50
5. UCF - 30
6. Clemson - 28
T-7. Arizona - 25
T-7. Arizona State - 25
9. Iowa State - 23
10. Georgia - 22
T-40. Oklahoma State - 4
Men's Individual Results
Mile
-- Raul Botezan - DNF
3,000 Meters
4. Kirubel Erassa - 7:49.17*^
14. Tom Farrell - 8:04.14^
Weight Throw
4. Nick Miller - 21.48m/70-05.75*^
Women's Individual Results
800 Meters
5. Natalja Piliusina - 2:04.46^
* - Denotes Personal Best
^ - Denotes All-American Performance
Players Mentioned
