Oklahoma State University Athletics
Piliusina Snags Sixth-Straight Big 12 800 Meter Title
May 05, 2013 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
May 5, 2013
WACO, Texas - -
Natalja Piliusina won her third consecutive Big 12 outdoor 800 meter title, and sixth-straight 800 meter conference title overall, and a trio of Cowboys went 1-2-3 in the men's 5,000 meters for the Oklahoma State men's and women's track and field teams in the final day of the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in Waco, Texas., on Sunday.
Piliusina continued her incredible undefeated streak at conference meets with a blazing 2:03.99, which was just .39 short of a Big 12 meet record, and .56 short of a stadium record.
“It feels great,” Piliusina said. “The farther along I get, the more pressure I put on myself to win. Winning in my freshman year was fun, as was my sophomore year, but now I just can't afford to lose. I have an awesome opportunity to get all eight 800 meter titles—not many people have been able to do that. I want to keep it going.”
In the men's 5,000 meters, Kirubel Erassa (13:53.53), Girma Mecheso (13:54.62) and Tom Farrell (13:55.47) spent the entire race in the lead group of seven runners, until they separated themselves with two laps to go. On the final turn, Erassa was able to kick past his teammates and win the championship.
“Those three guys are All-Americans, and they raced like it,” OSU Coach Dave Smith said. “They had a plan to create an honest pace and break away in the last 1,000 meters, and they executed it. With two laps to go, it was every man for himself. It was great for Kirubel to win. He can check a Big 12 title off his list. As for Natalja, she is the queen of the Big 12 800. She could have raced in other events, and it could have been easier, but the 800 is her race. Six straight is a great accomplishment.”
The surprise of the weekend had to be freshman thrower Chase Ealey. After throwing a personal best to finish sixth in the shot put on Saturday, she participated in the javelin on Sunday—an event she had not thrown since high school. It didn't matter. She launched a personal-best 44.82m/147-00, which was good enough for fifth place and four more team points.
“I'm extremely proud of Chase,” OSU throws coach John Baumann said. “She entered with no collegiate mark, but still threw a personal best to finish fifth. What a weekend for her as a freshman to score in the two toughest throwing events in the Big 12.”
In the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase, the Cowboys were able to pick up two big marks. Fabian Clarkson, who was an All-American in the steeple in 2012, finished third, in 8:55.40. Not far behind him was Taylor Monaghan, who took fifth, with a time of 9:00.44. The two combined for 10 valuable team points.
After that, in the men's 1,500 meters, the Cowboys scored twice again. Raul Botezan (3:50.00) took sixth place, and Tommy Casey (3:50.38) finished seventh.
On the women's side, in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, Kate Kujawa was able to score for the Cowgirls as well, finishing third, with a time of 10:25.78
The scoring continued for the Cowgirls in the 1,500 meters, where Adela Hofmannova made a charge on the final lap to finish in seventh place, in 4:31.34.
In the women's 5,000 meters, Monika Juodeskaite picked up three points for the Cowgirls, finishing in sixth, with a time of 16:35.86.
In the men's team race, the Cowboys took eighth, with 56 points, and on the women's side, the Cowgirls finished in 10th, with 33 points.
The OSU track and field teams will now begin preparations for the NCAA West Regionals, May 23-25, in Austin, Texas.
Big 12 Outdoor Championships
May 3-5, 2013/ Hart-Patterson Track Complex/ Waco, Texas
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Final Team Standings
Men
1. Texas – 146.5
2. Oklahoma – 133
3. Texas Tech – 117.5
4. Kansas State – 96
5. Kansas – 82.5
6. TCU - 75
7. Baylor – 61
8. Oklahoma State – 56
9. Iowa State – 51.5
Women
1. Kansas – 158
2. Texas – 145
3. Baylor – 93
4. Iowa State – 89
5. Oklahoma – 78.5
6. Texas Tech – 77.5
7. Kansas State – 66
8. West Virginia - 40
9. TCU - 39
10. Oklahoma State – 33
Men's Individual Results
1,500 Meters
6. Raul Botezan – 3:50.00+
7. Tommy Casey – 3:50.38+
5,000 Meters
1. Kirubel Erassa – 13:53.53+
2. Girma Mecheso – 13:54.62+
3. Tom Farrell – 13:55.47+
-- Brian Gohlke – DNF
3,000 Meter Steeplechase
3. Fabian Clarkson – 8:55.40+
5. Taylor Monaghan – 9:00.44+
11. Justin Vilhauer – 9:28.79
Women's Individual Results
800 Meters
1. Natalja Piliusina – 2:03.99+
1,500 Meters
7. Adela Hofmannova – 4:31.34+
5,000 Meters
6. Monika Juodeskaite – 16:35.86+
14. Erika LaCroix – 17:24.08
3,000 Meter Steeplechase
3. Kate Kujawa – 10:25.78+
10. Jackie Campos – 10:46.86
Discus Throw
19. Gloria Moseley – 40.28m/132-02
Javelin Throw
5. Chase Ealey – 44.82m/147-00*+
19. Madison Allen – 29.50m/96-09
* - Denotes personal best
+ - Denotes All-Big 12 performer
