Oklahoma State University Athletics
Clarkson Clinches Berth In NCAA Championships
May 25, 2013 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
May 25, 2013
AUSTIN, Texas -
Fabian Clarkson will return to the NCAA Outdoor Track And Field Championships after automatically qualifying in the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase to lead the Oklahoma State track and field teams in day two of the NCAA Track and Field West Preliminary Round, in Austin, Texas, early Saturday morning.
Clarkson, who was a second-team All-American in the steeplechase in 2012, ran a blistering 8:43.73, which broke his old personal best by more than two seconds. He finished second in his heat, which earned him the automatic national berth. Taylor Monaghan finished 24th, running a 8:56.39, just 0.25 off his personal best.
Due to inclement weather, the race, which was initially slated to begin at 9:30 p.m. CT, was pushed back to a 12:30 a.m. start time.
“What a race,” OSU Coach Dave Smith Said. “I think Fabian did a great job to throw himself into the thick of it. It was a fast pace. He could have gone conservative and tried to pick people off late, or go for it from the start. He was so tough to hold on to that second spot, and I'm really proud of him.”
In the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase, Kate Kujawa equaled her personal best at 10:15.55, but fell just short of the time qualification, finishing in 18th.
The OSU track and field teams will wrap up competition at the NCAA West Preliminary round tomorrow, at 10 a.m.
NCAA West Preliminary Round
May 23-25/ Mike A. Myers Stadium/ Austin, Texas
Friday-Saturday, May 24-25, 2013
Men's Individual Results
3,000 Meter Steeplechase
6.>Fabian Clarkson – 8:43.73(Q)*
24. Taylor Monaghan – 8:56.39
Women's Individual Results
3,000 Meter Steeplechase
18. Kate Kujawa – 10:15.55*
-- Jackie Campos - DNF
Q - Denotes automatic qualification
* - Denotes personal best
