Rodriguez, Shitsama Punch Tickets to Eugene in 10,000 Meters

Rodriguez, Shitsama Punch Tickets to Eugene in 10,000 Meters

May 26, 2021 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Oklahoma State track and field team opened up the NCAA West Prelim with a handful of impressive performances in the first day of men's events, including a pair of national qualifying races from Isai Rodriguez and Victor Shitsama in the men's 10,000 meters.

Leading the way as he has for a majority of his Oklahoma State career, Rodriguez paced the Pokes through the finish line and earned a trip to Eugene, Oregon, with a 29:11.15 pace, good for the sixth-place finish.

I'm so happy to have made it, of course, but to see Victor's name in that twelfth spot, I just went crazy," Rodriguez said. "We've all been working so hard and it's finally paying off. This is what we work for and we're just blessed to be here."

For Shitsama, the 2020 Big 12 Cross Country Newcomer of the Year capitalized on an already impressive sophomore outdoor season, improving massively on his ranking entering tonight's competition. The Eldoret, Kenya-native clocked in at 29:15:28 and claimed the last qualifying spot in the race with his 12th-place finish.

"To be honest, I didn't believe it at first," Shitsama said. "I thought I'd come in somewhere around 15th. Coming around the corner with two laps to go I heard Coach yelling that I was in 14th. So, in my mind, in the last lap, I knew the guys ahead of me were going to make it. It was either them or me, so I just said, "Let me just kick and see who I can catch.'"

Joining his teammates as top finishers in the day one finale, Alex Maier, in the first outdoor track and field season of his career, narrowly missed a chance at the finals with a 29:28.96 time that placed him 15th.

"A great run for all three of these guys, but definitely a little heartbroken for Alex Maier who worked his butt off to get here and came up just a little bit short," Director of Oklahoma State cross country and track & field Dave Smith said. "He is going to be an all-timer here at Oklahoma State. He just a constantly professional guy. The type to bring his lunch pal to work every day and never complain. This time next year he'll be one of the guys moving on to the final and probably earning first team All-American honors next year."

Aside from Cowboys' success in the primetime distance event to wrap up day one, another pair of Pokes in Ashton Hicks and Juan Diego Castro posted quality races of their own.

Hicks, OSU's second all-time performer in the men's 400, raced his best of the season. The sophomore finished in 45.78; the season best placed him 4th, safely up front among the 24 qualified athletes that will move on to the quarterfinal race Friday.

In the men's 800 meters, Juan Diego Castro locked down a spot to Friday's quarterfinal with his 1:49:00 pace and 16th place finish.

In the men's shot put, Torrey Hickel and Michael Releford outscored their initial rankings heading into the weekend and wrapped up their respective seasons on a high note. Hickel, the Cowboy throws senior, launched a 17.64m throw, good for 33rd. Releford, the younger of the pair in his first outdoor season, finished right behind his veteran teammates: he took 34th thanks to a 17.23m toss.

As for what's next, the women of Oklahoma State will be next to take to the track at E.B. Cushing Stadium. The Cowgirls' start for day two from the NCAA West Prelim will be at 1:30 p.m. when Big 12 champion Kelsey Kehl competes in the women's javelin throw.

Men's Individual Results

Shot Put (First Round)
33. Torrey Hickel - 17.64m
34. Michael Releford - 17.23m

400 Meters (First Round)
4. Ashton Hicks - 45.78

800 Meters (First Round)
16. Juan Diego Castro - 1:49.00

10,000 Meters (Semifinal)
6. Isai Rodriguez - 29:11.15
12. Victor Shitsama - 29:28.96
15. Alex Maier - 29:28.96