Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Track & Field Back In Top 25
May 14, 2013 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
May 14, 2013
STILLWATER -
The Oklahoma State men's track and field team is ranked No. 22 in this week's version of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association top 25, it was announced today.
This is the fourth appearance in the poll for the Cowboys in the outdoor season, improving on what was already the season with most appearances in school history. This is the first time in four weeks the Cowboys have been ranked, but they have been knocking on the door as of late, showing up at No. 26 and No. 27 in the previous two polls, respectively.
“It shows that we're on the right track,” OSU Coach Dave Smith said. “But it's also exactly where we were ranked in the preseason. Here at Oklahoma State, we're in the business of exceeding expectations, not just meeting them.”
Individually, the Cowboys have six athletes ranked in the nation's top 50 in their respective events.
Girma Mecheso (27:52.38) continues to lead the way, ranked No.1 in the 10,000 meters, with an impressive 22-second gap between his time and the rest of the NCAA. Brian Gohlke is ranked No. 38 in the event after running a 29:28.38 at the Big 12 Championships.
Mecheso (13:54.62) is also ranked in the 5,000 meters as a part of the trio of Cowboys who went 1-2-3 in the event at the Big 12 Championships. Kirubel Erassa (13:53.53) is No. 32, Mecheso is No. 35 and Tom Farrell (13:55.47) is No. 38.
Erassa and Farrell also appeared in the 1,500 meter rankings off strong appearances at the Mt. SAC Relays. Farrell is No. 14, with a 3:41.33, and Erassa is No. 32, with a 3:42.76. Fabian Clarkson broke into the top 50 in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, following his 8:55.40 at the Big 12 Championships. He is ranked No. 49.
Nick Miller, after yet another school-record hammer throw this weekend at the Ward Haylett Invitational, in Manhattan, Kan., is No. 2 in the NCAA, at 70.57m/231-06.
On the women's side, there are four Cowgirls ranked. Natalja Piliusina continues to hold top-10 rankings in two different events. Her 2:03.80 in the 800 meters at the Mt. SAC Relays has her at No. 7 in that event, and she still has the No. 1 1,500 meter time in the nation--a 4:09.57 at the Payton Jordan Invitational, in Palo Alto, Calif.
Kate Kujawa (10:15.55) has the No. 30 ranking in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
There are also two Cowgirl throwers ranked after throwing personal records at the Big 12 Championships. Caitlin Way (60.02m/196-11) is No. 39 in the hammer throw, and Chase Ealey (16.01m/52-6.5) is No. 41 in the shot put.
The OSU track and field teams will look to back up these rankings at the NCAA West Preliminary Round, May 23-25, in Austin, Texas.
U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Men's Team Computer Rankings (Week Seven)
1 Florida
2 Texas A&M
3 Oregon
4 Arkansas
5 Florida State
6 Southern California
7 LSU
8 Texas
9 Wisconsin
10 Nebraska
11 Georgia
12 Virginia Tech
13 Penn State
14 Mississippi
15 UCLA
16 Texas Tech
17 Alabama
18 California
19 TCU
20 Ohio State
21 Kansas
22 Oklahoma State
23 Cornell
24 Iowa
25 Arizona State
NCAA Individual Event Rankings
Men's Rankings
1,500 Meters
14. Tom Farrell – 3:41.33
32. Kirubel Erassa – 3:42.76
5,000 Meters
32. Kirubel Erassa - 13:53.53
35. Girma Mecheso – 13:54.62
38. Tom Farrell – 13:55.47
10,000 Meters
1. Girma Mecheso – 27:52.38
38. Brian Gohlke – 29:28.38
3,000 Meter Steeplechase
49. Fabian Clarkson – 8:55.40
Hammer Throw
2. Nick Miller – 70.57m/231-06
Women's Rankings
800 Meters
7. Natalja Piliusina – 2:03.80
1,500 Meters
1. Natalja Piliusina – 4:09.57
3,000 Meter Steeplechase
30. Kate Kujawa – 10:15.55
Shot Put
41. Chase Ealey – 16.01m/52-6.5
Hammer Throw
39. Caitlin Way – 60.02m/196-11
