Oklahoma State University Athletics
Alex Maier Earns Runner-Up Finish in Men’s 10,000 Meter Championship
June 08, 2022 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
EUGENE, Oregon – Oklahoma State outdoor track & field opened its NCAA Outdoor Championship campaign in style on Wednesday, with Alex Maier taking home the runner-up trophy in the 10,000 Meters.
Maier paced himself throughout the race, holding near the rear of the field before moving up and exploding to the front with around 800 meters remaining. He becomes the seventh first-team All-American in the 10,000 Meters for the Cowboys and his finish is the highest since Shadrack Kipchirchir also placed second in 2014. His time of 28:12.68 is now the fourth-fastest in program history after closing his final lap in 55.50 seconds.
"For awhile now I've believed and seen myself as one of the top guys in the NCAA," Maier said. "I'm just finally glad I was able to go out and prove it today. Dave (Smith) is a great coach and he just trusts me to do what I do and and I really appreciate it during the race."
Earlier in the day, Ryan Schoppe and Ryan Smeeton each advanced to the final of their respective events with impressive performances in the men's 1,500 Meters and 3,000 Meter Steeplechase.
Schoppe raced in a quick first heat, finishing sixth overall, just half of a second behind the heat winner. After a slower, more tactical second heat, Schoppe's time of 3:37.94 held up and he advanced to the final as one of the "next two best times."
Immediately following the 1,500 was Smeeton in the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase. Smeeton took the lead on the opening lap and led until the final lap, coasting to the finish as he only needed a top five finish in his heat to advance. In the process, he set the school record with a personal-best time of 8:26.64, which breaks a nearly 22-year-old record set by Chuck Sloan at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials.
The entirety of the NCAA Outdoor Championships will be broadcast across ESPN's family of networks with live results being updated throughout the weekend at the link below.
https://flashresults.ncaa.com/Outdoor/2022/index.htm?_ga=2.28803580.1122277350.1652365118-
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
Maier paced himself throughout the race, holding near the rear of the field before moving up and exploding to the front with around 800 meters remaining. He becomes the seventh first-team All-American in the 10,000 Meters for the Cowboys and his finish is the highest since Shadrack Kipchirchir also placed second in 2014. His time of 28:12.68 is now the fourth-fastest in program history after closing his final lap in 55.50 seconds.
"For awhile now I've believed and seen myself as one of the top guys in the NCAA," Maier said. "I'm just finally glad I was able to go out and prove it today. Dave (Smith) is a great coach and he just trusts me to do what I do and and I really appreciate it during the race."
Earlier in the day, Ryan Schoppe and Ryan Smeeton each advanced to the final of their respective events with impressive performances in the men's 1,500 Meters and 3,000 Meter Steeplechase.
Schoppe raced in a quick first heat, finishing sixth overall, just half of a second behind the heat winner. After a slower, more tactical second heat, Schoppe's time of 3:37.94 held up and he advanced to the final as one of the "next two best times."
Immediately following the 1,500 was Smeeton in the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase. Smeeton took the lead on the opening lap and led until the final lap, coasting to the finish as he only needed a top five finish in his heat to advance. In the process, he set the school record with a personal-best time of 8:26.64, which breaks a nearly 22-year-old record set by Chuck Sloan at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials.
The entirety of the NCAA Outdoor Championships will be broadcast across ESPN's family of networks with live results being updated throughout the weekend at the link below.
https://flashresults.ncaa.com/Outdoor/2022/index.htm?_ga=2.28803580.1122277350.1652365118-
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Distance
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Middle Distance
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