Oklahoma State University Athletics
Mecheso Punches Ticket To NCAA Championships
May 23, 2013 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
May 23, 2013
AUSTIN, Texas -
Oklahoma State's Girma Mecheso earned a spot in the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 10,000 meters, and Natalja Piliusina advanced to the women's 1,500 meter quarterfinals for the OSU track and field teams in day one of the NCAA Track And Field West Preliminary Round, in Austin, Texas, on Thursday.
Mecheso's 29:56.88 in the 10,000 meter national semifinal earned him third place in the region, and was good enough to advance to the NCAA final, in Eugene, Ore. Brian Gohlke ran a 31:42.80 to finish 35th.
In the women's 1,500 prelims, Piliusina ran a 4:26.77 to finish second in her heat, which automatically qualified her for Saturday's national quarterfinal.
“I think everyone did a great job and competed,” OSU Coach Dave Smith said. “Of course Girma and Natalja were great. We had a couple of people go out and finish higher than they were ranked coming in, and almost make it through. It's heartbreaking to see them be right there with a chance and fall just short. But I'm proud of the effort I saw today.”
In the men's high jump, Taylor Buck cleared 2.07m/6-9.50, finishing 28th.
On the women's side, Clara Nichols ran the 800 meters in 2:09.61 to finish 29th, under one second away from advancing. Taylor Stolt finished 29th in the long jump, with a mark of 5.92m/19-5.25.
In the women's hammer throw, Caitlin Way took 24th, with a mark of 57.57m/188-10. She was only 1.5 meters away from advancing to the regional final.
The OSU track and field teams will resume competition in Austin tomorrow, starting at 2 p.m.
NCAA West Preliminary Round
May 23-25/ Mike A. Myers Stadium/ Austin, Texas
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Men's Individual Results
1,500 Meters
-- Raul Botezan - DNF
10,000 Meters
3. Girma Mecheso – 29:56.88(Q)
35. Brian Gohlke - 31:42.80
High Jump
28. Taylor Buck - 2.07m/6-9.50
Women's Individual Results
800 Meters
29. Clara Nichols – 2:09.61
1,500 Meters
8. Natalja Piliusina - 4:26.77(Q)
Long Jump
29. Taylor Stolt - 5.92m/19-5.25
Hammer Throw
24. Caitlin Way - 57.57m/188-10
Q - Denotes automatic qualification
