Oklahoma State Advances Three to NCAA Finals

March 13, 2015 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Oklahoma State wrapped up its first day at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday, with four athletes securing first team All-America honors and three advancing past the semifinal round of their respective events.

"It wasn't our best day, but we had some very positive things happen for us," coach Dave Smith said.

In the men's 60-meter semifinal, John Teeters won his heat in 6.58 seconds. He made his first NCAA final and will receive his first All-America honors. Teeters, whose season-best time of 6.52 leads the NCAA this year, was named an outdoor honorable mention All-American at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 100 meters as a sophomore.

"Teeters looked like he is back to his old self," Smith said. "He's bounced back from the disappointment that he felt at the Big 12's and looked like one of the best guys in the country again."

Kaela Edwards picked up where she left off at the Big 12 Championships by qualifying for the women's 800-meter final for the second consecutive year. She competed in the faster of the two heats, as her 2:03.86 was the third best time of the 16-person semifinal.

"Edwards had a great day and ran her second-best time ever in the prelims - that's just really running," Smith said. "The 800 tomorrow will probably be a barnburner and I think she's got a shot, but she has her work cut out for her."

Edwards joins teammate Natalja Piliusina as the second Cowgirl in OSU history to qualify for two 800-meter finals at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

After claiming the Big 12 title in the men's mile two weeks ago, Chad Noelle advanced to the NCAA mile final for the first time in his career in his second NCAA Indoor Championships appearance. Noelle's time of 3:59.06 was good enough for an automatic qualifying spot and was his second-fastest time of the season. He became the fourth Cowboy to advance to the NCAA mile final and the first to do so since Raul Botezan in 2012.

"Chad executed well and I think he has set himself up well for the final tomorrow," Smith said. "We pulled him off the DMR and it probably hurt us a bit, but it helps him tomorrow in the individual event."

Noelle qualified for the mile at the 2014 Indoor Championships, but scratched in an effort to better compete in the men's DMR final later that day.

Nick Miller scored for the third straight year in the men's weight throw. His throw of 21.78m/71-5.50 was good enough for seventh and earned him All-America honors for the seventh time in his career, and first team All-America honors for the fourth time.

The men's DMR team of Vegard Oelstad, Brandon Singleton, Matthew Fayers and Fabian Clarkson finished ninth in a physical race that saw three teams lose their footing and fall. This was the third consecutive year OSU sent a DMR team to the NCAA Championships and the second consecutive year it has received second team All-America honors.

Jennifer Celis kicked off the day for OSU in the women's mile semifinals where she ran 4:57.36. It marked the first All-America honors of her career as she received second-team recognition in her first career NCAA Championship event.

Miller's two points earned in the weight throw were enough to put the Cowboys in 24th place as team at the end of the opening day.

Saturday's events for OSU begin at 3:45 with the women's shot put as Chase Ealey makes her NCAA Championships debut.

The men's mile final featuring Noelle will begin at 6:10 p.m., followed by Teeters in the 60-meter final at 7:10 p.m. and Edwards in the 800-meter final at 7:20 p.m.

Finally, Big 12 champion Fabian Clarkson will run in the 3,000 meter final at 8:15 p.m. and wrap up competition for OSU.

NCAA Indoor Championships :: March 13, 2015 :: Fayetteville, Ark.

Men's Results

60 meter semifinal
4. John Teeters - 6.58Q

One mile semifinal
6. Chad Noelle - 3:59.06Q

Weight Throw
7. Nick Miller - 21.78m/71-5.50

Distance Medley Relay
9. Oklahoma State Team - 9:47.78
(Vegard Oelstad, Brandon Singleton,
Matthew Fayers, Fabian Clarkson)

Women's Results

800 meter semifinal
3. Kaela Edwards - 2:03.83Q

One mile semifinal
15. Jennifer Celis - 4:57.36

Men's Team Standings (Five events scored)

1. Oregon - 32
2. Arkansas - 23
3. Florida - 16
4. Akron - 10
4. Wisconsin - 10
6. Southern California - 8
6. Tennessee - 8
6. Virginia - 8
6. Penn State - 8
10. Purdue - 6
10. Iowa State - 6
24. Oklahoma State - 2

Women's Team Standings (Five events scored)

1. Georgia - 14
2. Oregon - 13.50
3. Baylor - 13
3. Arkansas - 13
5. Akron - 12
5. Kentucky - 12
7. Missouri - 10
7. Providence - 10
9. Kansas State - 8
9. Southern Illinois - 8
9. Stanford - 8
9. UCLA - 8
-- Oklahoma State