May 31, 2001
Eugene, Or -Sally Glynn produced the fastest 1,500 meter time in the prelims to highlight Stanford's activities during second day competition on Thursday at the 2001 NCAA Track & Field Championships at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field.
Twenty-one runners competed in two heats of the women's 1,500 meters and Glynn, a senior from Rockville, Md, ran the distance in a time of 4:17.22 on a hot, muggy night in Eugene. Her closest competitor, Emily Furia of William & Mary, ran 4:18.44. Malindi Elmore, a Stanford sophomore, fell with approximately 250 meters in her heat and placed ninth in a time of 4:35.52.
"I was a little surprised at the fast pace of the race," said Glynn, the 2001 Pac-10 1,500 meter champion. "This is my fifth year, the 1,500 meters is my favorite race, and I certainly want to win just like the other runners. I'll have 48 hours to recover, be ready, and hopefully have the kick at the end of the race to win."
Ashley Couper will join Glynn in the finals on Saturday (6:00 p.m.). Couper, a senior transfer from the University of Vermont, placed fourth in a time of 4:19.86.
The trio of Michael Stember, Donald Sage and Gabe Jennings all advanced through the prelims in the 1,500 meters. Stember broke through a tight pack of runners in the final 100 meters to finish fourth in his heat in a time of 3:43.96. Eliud Njubi of TCU won the heat in a time of 3:43.15.
"I wish I had run a little differently ... it's a little frustrating," said Stember. "But you have to move on and focus on the rest of the meet. I think we'll be okay with Don (Sage), Gabe (Jennings) and myself qualifying for the finals."
In the second heat, freshman Donald Sage continued his excellent season with a strong second place finish in a time of 3:42.90, just behind the top-ranked collegian Bryan Berryhill of Colorado State, who finished at 3:41.83. Gabe Jennings, the defending NCAA 1,500 meter champion, finished third in 3:43.18.
"We've had a few bad breaks, but I'm really excited for Michael (Stember) and Donald (Sage) to be in the 1,500 meter finals." said Jennings. "We came in as a team and I don't know what the team scores are, but we've got individuals going big right now. It's the Stanford motto to just put it all on the line."
Overall, Sage's time was third-best among 12 runners who will compete in Saturday's final (6:15 p.m.). Jennings' time was fifth-best overall and Stember was eighth-best overall.
Michael Ponikvar gained All-America honors with an eighth place finish in the high jump (7-3, 2.21m). Charles Clinger of Weber State won the NCAA title at 7-6 1/2 (2.30m).
On Friday (6/1), Julie Tinker begins her quest for All-America honors in the heptathlon (2:00 p.m.). The senior from Sacramento, Ca, produced a career-best 5,432 points at the recent Pacific-10 Championships to finish in third place. Her point total at the conference meet is third-best in school history. Kathleen Donoghue, who recently set the school record in the pole vault at 13-3, will also compete for All-America honors at 5:00 p.m., while Michael Stember competes in the finals of the 800 meters (6:10 p.m.), Laura Turner in the finals of the 3,000 meter steeplechase (6:55 p.m.), and Seth Hejny, Jonathon Riley and Grant Robison in the 5,000 meters (8:00 p.m.).
After two days of the men's team competition, Oregon is leading with 27 points followed by Georgia, USC and Utah State with 16 points apiece. Pac-10 schools include California (23th, four points), Arizona State (28th, three points), and Stanford and Washington with one point apiece in 39th place.
In the women's team competition, UCLA leads with 16 points followed by Arizona, Idaho and Arkansas with ten points apiece. Pac-10 schools include Arizona State (9th, six points), USC (9th, six points), and Washington State (28th, one point).
Stanford Men's Results - Day Two of the NCAA Track & Field Championships (Eugene, Oregon)
1,500 Meters (Prelims, Heat 1) - 4. Michael Stember (3:43.96q)
1,500 Meters (Prelims, Heat 2) - 2. Donald Sage (3:42.90q), 3. Gabe Jennings (3:43.18q)
High Jump (Final) - 8. Michael Ponikvar (7-3, 2.21m)
Long Jump (Final) - 10. Milton Little (25-0 3/4, 7.64m)
1,500 Meters (Prelims, Heat 1) - 1. Sally Glynn (4:17.22q), 9. Malindi Elmore (4:35.52nq)
1,500 Meters (Prelims, Heat 2) - 4. Ashley Couper (4:19.86q)
10,000 Meters (Final) - 10. Anne Gunnison (35:28.44)
Shot Put (Final) - 16. Jillian Camarena (50-6, 15.39m)