June 8, 2007
Michael Robertson, Teresa McWalters, and Graeme Hoste join Erica McLain as outdoor All-Americans at the 2007 NCAA Championships. Robertson took second place in the discus, Hoste earned fourth in the pole vault, while McWalters moved into seventh on Stanford's top ten list as she took sixth in the 5000 meters. The Cardinal has six more athletes competing tomorrow on the final day of competition.
Men
TRACK
In the 5000 meter finals, sophomore Hari Mix earned an 11th place finish in a career best time of 14:01.21, while senior Jacob Gomez recorded a time of 14:03.79 to finish 13th. After the first kilometer, Gomez was running in third place, while Mix was at the back of the pack in 16th place. The two runners remained close to those same positions until after three kilometers when Gomez fell to the 12th spot, while Mix moved up seven places into ninth. Neither runner was able to gain any ground at the end, as Mix took 11th and Gomez came in 13th.
FIELD
Senior Michael Robertson earned a runner-up finish in the discus today, earning the fourth All-American honor of his career as he posted a mark of 203-08 (62.08m). Robertson led for the first four rounds, but with two rounds remaining Niklas Arrhenius of BYU recorded a throw of 206-02 (62.84m) to take over the lead. Robertson fouled on his fifth attempt, and did not have enough distance on his final attempt to re-gain the top spot.
"I have a complete set of trophy's now; two third places, one first place, and now a second place," said Robertson. "Obviously I would like to be the champion, but it feels good to go out with another All-American honor. You don't want to get beat doing anything other than your best, but I don't think that was the case today, I put forth a good effort."
In the pole vault, junior Graeme Hoste earned the first All-American honors of his career as he tied for fourth place in the pole vault with a mark of 17-06 ½ (5.35m). Hoste was able to clear the bar at the first three heights (5.10m, 5.25m, and 5.35m), but was unable to clear the fourth height of 5.45 meters. Only eight other competitors were able to clear the height of 5.35 meters along with Hoste.
In the triple jump qualifying round, senior Feranmi Okanlami was not able to advance to the semifinals as he finished in 25th place with his mark of 48-09 (14.86m). Okanlami recorded his best distance on the second attempt, but was not able to improve on that mark on his final jump.
Women
TRACK
Junior Teresa McWalters earned the fourth All-American honor of her career as she earned a sixth place finish in the 5000 meter run tonight with a career best time of 15:53.89, moving into seventh place on Stanford's All-Time Top Ten list. McWalters was the leader after the first two kilometers and held that position until she dropped to fifth place with about five laps to go. She was passed down the stretch, but was able to hold onto sixth place, earning her All-American honors.
In the 3000 meter steeplechase final, junior Lindsay Allen was unable to complete the race with about three laps remaining. She started out towards the back of the pack and remained in 10th place at the halfway point. With about three laps to go, Allen slowed down and stepped off the track, unable to finish the remainder of the event.
FIELD
Junior Erica McLain followed up yesterday's third place finish in the long jump by tying as the top qualifier in today's triple jump with a distance of 44-02 ¾ (13.48m) to earn a spot in tomorrow's final at 10:00 a.m. Mclain hit the automatic qualifying mark on her first attempt, allowing her to skip her final two jumps. As the American collegiate record holder (14.15m), McLain will look to improve on her runner-up finish from last year's NCAA Championships.
Headinig into the final day of competition, the Stanford men sit in a tie for 14th place with 12 points, while the women find themselves in a tie for 14th place as well with nine points.
Day Three Results
MEN
DISCUS THROW (FINAL)
2. Michael Robertson - 203-08 (62.08m) (Earned All-American Honors)
POLE VAULT (FINAL)
4-T. Graeme Hoste - 17-06 ½, 5.35m (Earned All-American Honors)
5000 METER RUN (FINAL)
11. Hari Mix - 14:01.21
13. Jacob Gomez - 14:03.79
TRIPLE JUMP (QUALIFYING)
25. Feranmi Okanlami - 48-09 (14.86m)
WOMEN
5000 METER RUN (FINAL)
6. Teresa McWalters - 15:53.89 (Earned All-American Honors)
TRIPLE JUMP (QUALIFYING)
1T. Erica McLain - 44-02 ¾, 13.48m (qualified for finals)
3000 METER STEEPLECHASE (FINAL)
--. Lindsay Allen - Did Not Finish
Stanford Athletes Competing Tomorrow
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
Field Events
Triple Jump: W, Finals - 10:00 a.m. ( Erica McLain )
Track Events
1500 Meters: M, Finals - 11:10 ( Russell Brown, Garrett Heath )
1500 Meters: W, Finals - 11:22 ( Lauren Centrowitz, Alicia Follmar, Arianna Lambie )