Oklahoma State University Athletics
Friday, April 22
Palo Alto, Calif.
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Oklahoma State University
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Stanford Twilight
Pokes Smash Personal Bests at Stanford Twilight
April 23, 2016 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER – Josh Thompson added to his successful first year with the Cowboys, this time in the 1,500-meter run at the Stanford Twilight where he finished second and crushed his personal best by five seconds.
The Cowboy All-American ran in the fast heat of the 1,500 and finished second in a Big 12-leading 3:41.88, good enough for the eight spot on the Cowboy all-time top-10 list.
"That was a great race for him," coach Dave Smith said. "He was a little rusty in Arizona for his opener a few weeks ago, but now he's back to his old self. He ran a more conservative race and said he still felt like he's not quite there yet, but he closed really well and went from sixth or seventh to second in the last 100 meters."
His heat produced three times that rank in the top-15 of the West Region, and Thompson's second place finish puts him at third in the West, just three-tenths of a second off Washington's Izaic Yorks in the top spot.
Cowboy senior Craig Nowak won his first 5,000-meter race of the season, finishing in 13:54.37 in Palo Alto for a top-15 spot in the West and the No. 2 time in the Big 12.
"He went out and won the race and put up a 12-second PR in the process, so that was huge for him," Smith said. "He was battling with Daniel Everett from Iowa State and that's going to be some of his main competition for the conference title."
It was his first 5,000 of the season and second race of his outdoor campaign after opening with a 1,500-meter tune-up back at Stanford in early April.
With his time from Friday, the Cowboys have the two fastest times in the Big 12 and join Oregon, Arkansas and Colorado as the only schools with two athletes in the top-15 in the 5,000 in the West Region.
Also in the men's 5,000 was Vegard Oelstad who opened up his senior season with a 14:02.13 and a fifth place finish.
"Vegard's been hurting a little bit but I think he had a good race," Smith said. "He was with Craig with about 400 meters to go, but Craig just had a great kick and put eight seconds on him."
Jennifer Celis ran a 4:22.77 in the women's 1,500 to take third place in her heat and 11th overall in a competitive field. Her time is sixth in the Big 12 and adds to the Cowgirls' conference dominance in the event. With Celis now owning a top-10 time herself, the Cowgirls make up six of the 10 fastest times in the conference this year.
"Jenny's had a tough road since indoors last year and she's been frustrated and a little banged up, but with today was great for her," Smith said. "I think she's getting back to her real self. She's getting back to her All-American form."
Over in Arkansas, the field athletes opened competition at the John McDonnell Invitational.
Katie Kehl finished fourth in the discus throw with a mark of 45.28m/148-7. The mark would be the eighth-best throw in Cowgirl history, but her throw from earlier in the year keeps the Cowgirl junior at sixth.
On the runway, Jacob Fincham-Dukes returned to competition for the first time in two weeks and jumped 7.22m/23-8.25 feet to take sixth in the long jump competition.
The Pokes wrapped up competition in the Golden State Friday, but a large group of athletes is set to compete Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas, including John Teeters and Chase Ealey.
Stanford Twilight | April 22, 2016 | Palo Alto, Calif.
Women's Results
1500 Meters
11. Jennifer Celis – 4:22.77
26. Molly Sughroue – 4:34.10
Men's Results
1500 Meters
2. Josh Thompson – 3:41.88
5000 Meters
1. Craig Nowak – 13:54.37
5. Vegard Oelstad – 14:02.13
John McDonnell Invitational | April 22, 2016 | Fayetteville, Ark.
Women's Results
Long Jump
6. Maddie Lorant – 4.87m/15-11.75
Discus Throw
4. Katie Kehl – 45.28m/148-7
5. Baylor Nelson – 40.10m/131-7
6. Shelise Davis – 35.50m/115-10
Men's Results
Long Jump
6. Jacob Fincham-Dukes – 7.22m/23-8.25
9. Arlando Brewer-Johnson – 6.88m/22-7
11. Donovan Nunley – 6.63m/21-9
12. Micah Kee – 5.92m/19-5.25
Discus Throw
9. Cole Verble – 35.57m/116-0
10. Donovan Nunley – 31.26m/102-7
The Cowboy All-American ran in the fast heat of the 1,500 and finished second in a Big 12-leading 3:41.88, good enough for the eight spot on the Cowboy all-time top-10 list.
"That was a great race for him," coach Dave Smith said. "He was a little rusty in Arizona for his opener a few weeks ago, but now he's back to his old self. He ran a more conservative race and said he still felt like he's not quite there yet, but he closed really well and went from sixth or seventh to second in the last 100 meters."
His heat produced three times that rank in the top-15 of the West Region, and Thompson's second place finish puts him at third in the West, just three-tenths of a second off Washington's Izaic Yorks in the top spot.
Cowboy senior Craig Nowak won his first 5,000-meter race of the season, finishing in 13:54.37 in Palo Alto for a top-15 spot in the West and the No. 2 time in the Big 12.
"He went out and won the race and put up a 12-second PR in the process, so that was huge for him," Smith said. "He was battling with Daniel Everett from Iowa State and that's going to be some of his main competition for the conference title."
It was his first 5,000 of the season and second race of his outdoor campaign after opening with a 1,500-meter tune-up back at Stanford in early April.
With his time from Friday, the Cowboys have the two fastest times in the Big 12 and join Oregon, Arkansas and Colorado as the only schools with two athletes in the top-15 in the 5,000 in the West Region.
Also in the men's 5,000 was Vegard Oelstad who opened up his senior season with a 14:02.13 and a fifth place finish.
"Vegard's been hurting a little bit but I think he had a good race," Smith said. "He was with Craig with about 400 meters to go, but Craig just had a great kick and put eight seconds on him."
Jennifer Celis ran a 4:22.77 in the women's 1,500 to take third place in her heat and 11th overall in a competitive field. Her time is sixth in the Big 12 and adds to the Cowgirls' conference dominance in the event. With Celis now owning a top-10 time herself, the Cowgirls make up six of the 10 fastest times in the conference this year.
"Jenny's had a tough road since indoors last year and she's been frustrated and a little banged up, but with today was great for her," Smith said. "I think she's getting back to her real self. She's getting back to her All-American form."
Over in Arkansas, the field athletes opened competition at the John McDonnell Invitational.
Katie Kehl finished fourth in the discus throw with a mark of 45.28m/148-7. The mark would be the eighth-best throw in Cowgirl history, but her throw from earlier in the year keeps the Cowgirl junior at sixth.
On the runway, Jacob Fincham-Dukes returned to competition for the first time in two weeks and jumped 7.22m/23-8.25 feet to take sixth in the long jump competition.
The Pokes wrapped up competition in the Golden State Friday, but a large group of athletes is set to compete Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas, including John Teeters and Chase Ealey.
Stanford Twilight | April 22, 2016 | Palo Alto, Calif.
Women's Results
1500 Meters
11. Jennifer Celis – 4:22.77
26. Molly Sughroue – 4:34.10
Men's Results
1500 Meters
2. Josh Thompson – 3:41.88
5000 Meters
1. Craig Nowak – 13:54.37
5. Vegard Oelstad – 14:02.13
John McDonnell Invitational | April 22, 2016 | Fayetteville, Ark.
Women's Results
Long Jump
6. Maddie Lorant – 4.87m/15-11.75
Discus Throw
4. Katie Kehl – 45.28m/148-7
5. Baylor Nelson – 40.10m/131-7
6. Shelise Davis – 35.50m/115-10
Men's Results
Long Jump
6. Jacob Fincham-Dukes – 7.22m/23-8.25
9. Arlando Brewer-Johnson – 6.88m/22-7
11. Donovan Nunley – 6.63m/21-9
12. Micah Kee – 5.92m/19-5.25
Discus Throw
9. Cole Verble – 35.57m/116-0
10. Donovan Nunley – 31.26m/102-7
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Throws
/ Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Throws
/ Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Sprints/Jumps
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Throws
/ Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Middle Distance
/ Cowgirl Cross Country & TrackThrows
/ Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Distance
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Sprints/Jumps
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Distance
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Middle Distance
/ Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Sprints
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Distance
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Multi-Events
/ Cowboy Cross Country & TrackThursday, July 30
Tuesday, July 28
Monday, July 27
Tuesday, July 07
