Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Wrap Up First Day at NCAA West Prelims with Multiple Qualifying Marks
May 25, 2023 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Oklahoma State track & field knocked out several impressive performances on day one of the NCAA West Prelims on Wednesday in Sacramento, Calif., with several Cowboys moving to the next rounds of their respective events.
Day one of the Prelims were filled with some of the top male collegiate athletes in the country. Isai Rodriguez and Alex Maier each clinched their spots at the NCAA National Outdoor Championships in the 10,000 Meters. Additionally, six Cowboys qualified for their respective quarterfinal races with all of them earning automatic qualifications.
In the 1,500 Meters, Fouad Messaoudi and Christopher Middleton-Pearson were the first two Cowboys to punch their tickets to the quarterfinals. Messaoudi's historic season continues as he took the heat victory with a 3:43.94 finish, with Middleton-Pearson following with a time of 3:44.86.
In the third heat of the 1,500, Ryan Schoppe returned to the track and secured a season-best time of 3:41.90 to earn his spot. Alex Stitt remained on his upward trajectory by putting forth OSU's best time in the event at 3:41.04 in the final heat. He placed sixth overall in the race and his time is a new outdoor personal best, which he previously set in this year's Big 12 Outdoor Championships.
Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Dave Smith praised the quartet for their efforts after day one's action.
"The four guys that made it did an incredible job," Smith said. "Fouad is continuing his roll, it looked like there was no hitch in his giddy-up whatsoever. Alex Stitt is still coming on, just chipping away. I think he's feeling good."
In the 800 Meters, Mehdi Yanouri kept his momentum going as he secured his bid to the quarterfinals by using a burst of speed in the final stretch to earn the top spot in the first heat of the afternoon. His 1:47.80 finish remained the time to beat until the final heat, as he ultimately placed fourth overall in the event.
"Mehdi is on a roll like Fouad is," Smith said. "Mehdi looked fantastic. That guy is going to be hard to beat at the national championships."
Hafez Mahadi followed that performance with a qualifying time of his own in the fifth heat. Like Yanouri, Mahadi rode a burst of speed to outlast the competition and advance to quarterfinals with a 1:49.84 mark.
In the final race of the day, Rodriguez claimed the top spot against a loaded field in the 10K. Rodriguez led the race in the first half, and briefly gave it up before charging to the front and taking the victory with a season-best time of 28:17.98. For Rodriguez, it's the second time in his career that he's earned a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"Isai is just getting back to form," Smith said. "He's full-run right now. There's a lot left in him."
Meanwhile, Maier pulled off a gutsy 12th-place finish as the final qualifier, picking up his own season best at 28:30.26. Last year's NCAA outdoor runner-up in the event made a dramatic last-ditch effort in the final 800 meters to shut out the competition and claimed his second appearance in the NCAA tournament in as many years.
"We've asked a lot of that guy and he's delivered for us over and over again," Smith said. "I'm proud of him. I think this is probably one of the best races he's ever run for us. He gave everything he had tonight to get that 12th spot."
Action for the Cowboys will continue Friday with quarterfinal action, as well as semifinal races in the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase and 4x400 Meter Relays. Meanwhile, OSU's top women begin their journey to the quarterfinals on Thursday, with several Cowgirls competing in various field and track events.
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
NCAA West Prelims
Men's Individual Results
Long Jump First Round
34. Blair Anderson — 7.28m/23'10.75"
1,500 Meter First Round
6. Alex Stitt (Q) — 3:41.04
10. Ryan Schoppe (Q) — 3:41.90
16. Fouad Messaoudi (Q) — 3:43.94
23. Christopher Middleton-Pearson (Q) — 3:44.86
42. Isaiah Priddey — 3:50.76
400 Meter First Round
26. DJ McArthur — 46.30
800 Meter First Round
4. Mehdi Yanouri (Q) — 1:47.80
27. Hafez Mahadi (Q) — 1:49.838
10,000 Meter Semifinal
1. Isai Rodriguez (Q) — 28:17.98
12. Alex Maier (Q) — 28:30.26
Day one of the Prelims were filled with some of the top male collegiate athletes in the country. Isai Rodriguez and Alex Maier each clinched their spots at the NCAA National Outdoor Championships in the 10,000 Meters. Additionally, six Cowboys qualified for their respective quarterfinal races with all of them earning automatic qualifications.
In the 1,500 Meters, Fouad Messaoudi and Christopher Middleton-Pearson were the first two Cowboys to punch their tickets to the quarterfinals. Messaoudi's historic season continues as he took the heat victory with a 3:43.94 finish, with Middleton-Pearson following with a time of 3:44.86.
In the third heat of the 1,500, Ryan Schoppe returned to the track and secured a season-best time of 3:41.90 to earn his spot. Alex Stitt remained on his upward trajectory by putting forth OSU's best time in the event at 3:41.04 in the final heat. He placed sixth overall in the race and his time is a new outdoor personal best, which he previously set in this year's Big 12 Outdoor Championships.
Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Dave Smith praised the quartet for their efforts after day one's action.
"The four guys that made it did an incredible job," Smith said. "Fouad is continuing his roll, it looked like there was no hitch in his giddy-up whatsoever. Alex Stitt is still coming on, just chipping away. I think he's feeling good."
In the 800 Meters, Mehdi Yanouri kept his momentum going as he secured his bid to the quarterfinals by using a burst of speed in the final stretch to earn the top spot in the first heat of the afternoon. His 1:47.80 finish remained the time to beat until the final heat, as he ultimately placed fourth overall in the event.
"Mehdi is on a roll like Fouad is," Smith said. "Mehdi looked fantastic. That guy is going to be hard to beat at the national championships."
Hafez Mahadi followed that performance with a qualifying time of his own in the fifth heat. Like Yanouri, Mahadi rode a burst of speed to outlast the competition and advance to quarterfinals with a 1:49.84 mark.
In the final race of the day, Rodriguez claimed the top spot against a loaded field in the 10K. Rodriguez led the race in the first half, and briefly gave it up before charging to the front and taking the victory with a season-best time of 28:17.98. For Rodriguez, it's the second time in his career that he's earned a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"Isai is just getting back to form," Smith said. "He's full-run right now. There's a lot left in him."
Meanwhile, Maier pulled off a gutsy 12th-place finish as the final qualifier, picking up his own season best at 28:30.26. Last year's NCAA outdoor runner-up in the event made a dramatic last-ditch effort in the final 800 meters to shut out the competition and claimed his second appearance in the NCAA tournament in as many years.
"We've asked a lot of that guy and he's delivered for us over and over again," Smith said. "I'm proud of him. I think this is probably one of the best races he's ever run for us. He gave everything he had tonight to get that 12th spot."
Action for the Cowboys will continue Friday with quarterfinal action, as well as semifinal races in the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase and 4x400 Meter Relays. Meanwhile, OSU's top women begin their journey to the quarterfinals on Thursday, with several Cowgirls competing in various field and track events.
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
NCAA West Prelims
Men's Individual Results
Long Jump First Round
34. Blair Anderson — 7.28m/23'10.75"
1,500 Meter First Round
6. Alex Stitt (Q) — 3:41.04
10. Ryan Schoppe (Q) — 3:41.90
16. Fouad Messaoudi (Q) — 3:43.94
23. Christopher Middleton-Pearson (Q) — 3:44.86
42. Isaiah Priddey — 3:50.76
400 Meter First Round
26. DJ McArthur — 46.30
800 Meter First Round
4. Mehdi Yanouri (Q) — 1:47.80
27. Hafez Mahadi (Q) — 1:49.838
10,000 Meter Semifinal
1. Isai Rodriguez (Q) — 28:17.98
12. Alex Maier (Q) — 28:30.26
Players Mentioned
Jumps
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Distance
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Sprints
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Distance
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Distance
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Distance
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Distance
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