Cowboys In Fifth After Day Two In Lubbock

May 17, 2014 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track

May 17, 2014

LUBBOCK, Texas -

Oklahoma State track & field earned sixth-place finishes in both the men's and women's shot put and earned the top two qualifying times in the men's 800 meters at day two of the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday.

In the men's 800 meter prelims, Chad Noelle (1:50.06) and Tyler Payton (1:50.12) each won their individual heats, earning the top-two automatic qualifications to tomorrow's final.

In the men's 100 meter prelims, John Teeters equaled his personal-best time of 10.14, winning his heat and taking the No. 2 qualifying spot in tomorrow's final.

In the men's shot put, Itamar Levi moved from seventh to sixth on his final throw of the day, a 17.88m/58-8, to take three team points for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys are in fifth place with 30 team points, but are only 18 points out of the lead with a multitude of scoring chances remaining.

"I still think we're in good position from a team standpoint," OSU coach Dave Smith said. "I think if things go well tomorrow, we're looking at a top-three outdoor finish, and we have never finished in the top half of the conference in outdoors since the inception of the Big 12. It's right there within reach for us."

In the women's shot put, Chase Ealey matched Levi, throwing her best throw of the day on her last attempt, a 15.57m/51-1, to finish sixth.

Monika Juodeskaite ran a 4:27.95 in the 1,500 meter prelims, securing an automatic qualification for tomorrow's final.

OSU also qualified two runners for the final in the women's 800 meter prelims. Clara Nichols (2:12.72) won her heat and Mihaela Bobos (2:13.24) took the final qualifying spot, finishing third in her heat.

In the women's 400 meter hurdles, Bailey Johnson ran a personal-best 1:00.21 to snag the final qualifying spot for tomorrow's final.

The Cowgirls currently sit in eighth, with 17 team points.

"I thought Chad Noelle, Tyler Payton and Clara Nichols looked great in the 800," Smith said. "I'm excited for Bailey Johnson qualifying in the 400 meter hurdles. It's her first time to make a Big 12 final, and she did a great job. Mihaela Bobos always seems to find a way to sneak into the finals of her competitions. She's a great competitor. I thought John Teeters looked great in the 100 as well. He won his heat rather easily. I'm looking forward to seeing what we do tomorrow."

OSU track & field returns to action tomorrow in the final day of the Big 12 Championships, with plenty of opportunities to score on both the men's and women's sides. Competition begins at 11 a.m. with the women's discus.

Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships

May 16-18, 2014/ Terry & Linda Fuller Track & Field Complex/ Lubbock, Texas

Friday, May 17

Men's Individual Results

100 Meters (Prelims)

2. John Teeters - 10.14(Q)*

800 Meters (Prelims)

1. Chad Noelle - 1:50.06(Q)

2. Tyler Payton - 1:50.12(Q)

18. Justin Vilhauer - 1:53.44

20. Ryan Wheatley - 1:54.02

28. Lance Gray - 1:58.56

Long Jump

9. Jerel Morrow - 7.23m/23-8.75

15. Tre Flowers - 6.91m/22-8

Shot Put

6. Itamar Levi - 17.88m/58-8+