OSU Distance Athletes Fare Well at Texas Relays

March 25, 2021 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

AUSTIN, Texas – In the first of three days of competition from the 93rd annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, Oklahoma State's best performances included an event win for Isai Rodriguez in the 10,000 meters along with a plethora of top-10 finishes for OSU distance athletes.

In the day one night cap – the men's 10,000 meters – three cross country All-American Cowboys dominated the field to close out the first day of the meet. OSU distance standout Isai Rodriguez handily snagged the event win, finishing more than 40 seconds ahead of the rest of the field in a time of 28:08.78. The time is the fastest ever recorded at Mike A. Meyer Stadium, third-fastest ever by a Cowboy in school history and a new career best.

"This is my first time running the 10K on the track, so I just wanted to see how I could do and get out there and find a rhythm and stick with it," Rodriguez said. "I ran pretty good and so I'm really happy with it. It was all-around a great race."

Following close behind the new facility record holder was Alex Maier and Victor Shitsama. Maier crossed the line in second place in a personal best 28:48.88 and Shitsama trailed him in third place with a personal best of his own, 29:03.90.

Earlier in the day, during the women's 1,500 meters, a pair of freshmen in Sivan Auerbach and Stephanie Moss, both of whom are competing in the first outdoor competition of their careers this weekend, paced the Cowgirls, finishing second and third, respectively. The trio of top-ten Cowgirls was rounded out by seventh-place finisher Maddie Salek.

"I'm proud of the ladies' performances today," women's distance coach Anna Boyert-Thorp said. "It was a great opener for all three of them. They all put up personal bests which definitely excites us for the what the heart of their season will look like."

The Cowboys followed suit, representing well in the top-ten. In the first of two sections for the event, Sukhi Khosla clocked in at 3:50.72 for the seventh-place finish. Garrett Calhoun and Alex Stitt followed up in the second section and finished in third place and fifth place, respectively.

Aside from its distance runners, Oklahoma State had a number of other notable performances in the first day of the Texas Relays.

In the first outdoor meet of her sophomore season, Michaela Travers raced well in the women's 400 meter hurdles. In a field of 53 total racers, Travers earned the fifteenth-place finish with a career best 1:00.44 pace. Her time ranks fifth all-time in Cowgirl history.

Following up on her performance from a week ago at the TCU Invitational, Kelsey Kehl took sixth in the women's javelin throw with a final mark of 45.16m.

Oklahoma State will be back in action from the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays tomorrow when Bailey Golden and Maddie Meiner take to the field for the women's high jump at 9:30 a.m.

Men's Individual Results

400 Meters (Prelim)
36. DJ McArthur - 48.58
43. Will Edmonds - 49.07

1,500 Meters
Section A
3. Garrett Calhoun - 3:47.43
5. Alex Stitt - 3:47.72
Section B
7. Sukhi Khosla - 3:50.72

10,000 Meters
1. Isai Rodriguez - 28:08.78
2. Alex Maier - 28:48.88
3. Victor Shitsama - 29:03.90

Women's Individual Results

Javelin
6. Kelsey Kehl - 45.16m

400 Meters (Prelim)
16. Nicolette Dixon - 55.58
39. Kalaya Ali - 58.13

400 Meter Hurdles (Prelim)
15. Michaela Travers - 1:00.44

200 Meters (Prelim)
40. Christina Ollison - 24.70
48. Brooke Givens - 24.97

1,500 Meters
2. Sivan Auerbach - 4:23.94
3. Stephanie Moss - 4:24.57
7. Maddie Salek - 4:31.4