OSU Track and Field Athletes Make Their Mark in ATL Meet

Oklahoma State Track & Field Big 12 Indoor Championships, Saturday, February 29, 2020, Lied Recreation Athletic Center, Ames, IA. Mitchell McKie/OSU Athletics

February 07, 2021 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark . – In the third American Track League meet of 2021, a trio of foreign-born Oklahoma State athletes – Ariadni Adamopoulou, Juan Diego Castro and Alex Stitt – traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas to represent their home countries and go head-to-head with some of the best athletes in the world.

Hailing from Athens, Greece, Ariadni Adamopoulou continued her strong 2021 season with another great performance in the pole vault. The sophomore at OSU posted a 4.28m vault, finishing tied-sixth on the day. For Adamopoulou, her mark today was more than just an impressive collegiate performance.

"Ari[adni] came here with one goal: to get a certified mark for the European U-23 championships," multis coach Josh Langley said. She accomplished that so we are excited for her to have the chance at representing her country later this summer."

Castro had a career day in the mile, where he clocked in at 3:57.78 and finished fourth. The mark is the third fastest in OSU history and fifth in the NCAA this season. Coming to OSU from San Jose, Costa Rica, Castro has been the leading Cowboy mid distance athlete since his arrival in Stillwater.

"This race was an excellent opportunity for Juan and we're thrilled that he capitalized on it," men's distance coach Justin Duncan said. "We've had few obstacles with training this semester, so for Juan to show up and run like he did for his first mile race of the year is quite exciting and shows that he's without a doubt one of the top milers in the NCAA."

Joining Castro in the mile, Stitt finished in 4:07.34 and placed 6th. The freshman from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia has proven to add great depth and youth to a veteran Cowboy middle distance unit.

The American Track League is a series of four meets being held in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Founded by Paul Doyle in 2013, the ATL has continued for the past eight years providing elite competition in the United States for thousands of athletes.

As a part of the World Athletics Continental Silver Tour, the athletes have the opportunity to earn bonus points, based on their performances, that can enhance their ability to advance to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Men's Individual Results

Mile
4. Juan Diego Castro - 3:57.78
6. Alex Stitt - 4:07.34

Women's Individual Results

Pole Vault
6. Ariadni Adamopoulou - 4.28m