June 9, 2007
The 2007 NCAA Championships concluded today with five Stanford athletes earning All-American honors, giving the Cardinal a total of nine at these championships. Russell Brown (1500 meters), Garrett Heath (1500 meters), Arianna Lambie (1500 meters), Lauren Centrowitz, and Erica McLain (triple jump) were the All-Americans from today's events. The Stanford men tied for a tenth place team finish with 20 points , while the women earned a tie for tenth place as well with 23 total points.
Men
TRACK
In the 1500 meter final, junior Russell Brown posted a career best time of 3:37.56, and moved into fourth on Stanford's All-Time Top Ten list with his third place finish, earning All-American honors. Sophomore Garett Heath posted career best time of 3:40.14 and earned All-American honors with a seventh place finish. Brown got out fast and settled into third place after the first of four laps, while Heath was running in the fifth position. With one lap remaining, Brown remained in third place, as Heath dropped back to seventh. As the final lap began, Brown was passed by Vincent Rono of South Alabama, but was able to sprint passed him down the stretch to earn a bronze medal and the eighth All-American honor of his career. Heath stayed steady, finishing where he started in seventh place to earn the fourth All-American honor of his career.
"This was the time I knew I could run all year, and it happened at the biggest race of the year, which is special," said Brown. "I'm happy about my finish, but there are always things to work on. I've got another year against these same runners."
Women
TRACK
In the 1500 meter run final, senior Arianna Lambie earned the tenth All-American honor of her career as she earned a third place finish with a career best time of 4:12.29, moving into second on Stanford All-Time Top Ten list. Sophomore Lauren Centrowitz earned a ninth place finish in a career best time of 4:19.34 to earn All-American honors, while sophomore Alicia Follmar placed 11th in a time of 4:30.54. Follmar and Centrowitz began the race in first and second place, while Lambie ran in seventh after the first lap. By the end of the second lap, Lambie had jumped to first, while Centrowitz and Follmar dropped to tenth and 11th, respectively. Lambie dropped to second place with 200 meters to go, and could not make up any ground, finishing in third place. Centrowitz moved up one spot to ninth, while Follmar took 11th.
"It was my plan to push the pace," said Lambie. "I felt really strong, I kept trying to draw out the pace. I kind of ran out of steam with 200 metes left."
FIELD
Junior Erica McLain captured her second All-American honor of the competition as she took second place in the triple jump with a mark of 44-10 ¼ (13.67m). Mclain was the leader heading into the sixth and final round when Yvetter Lewis of Hampton jumped to a distance of 45-00 ½ (13.73m) to take the lead. McLain was not able to better Lewis' distance on her final jump as she finished in second place.
"Considering I've jumped four days in a row, I did as well as I could," said McLain. "This four day competition takes a lot out of you. I knew I was tired, but I didn't have another day so I gave it all I had."
Final Day Results
MEN
1500 METER RUN (FINAL)
3. Russell Brown - 3:37.56 (Earned All-American Honors)
7. Garrett Heath - 3:40.14 (Earned All-American Honors)
WOMEN
TRIPLE JUMP (FINAL)
2. Erica McLain - 44-10 ¼, 13.67m (Earned All-American Honors)
1500 METER RUN (FINAL)
3. Arianna Lambie - 4:12.29 (Earned All-American Honors)
9. Lauren Centrowitz - 4:19.34 (Earned All-American Honors)
11. Alicia Follmar - 4:30.54
FINAL MEN TEAM SCORES
1. Florida State -- 54
2. LSU -- 48
3. Auburn -- 34
4. Tennessee -- 31
5. USC -- 27
6. North Carolina -- 26
7T. Wisconsin -- 22
7T. Louisville -- 22
9. UCLA -- 22
10. Oregon -- 20
10. Stanford -- 20
FINAL WOMEN TEAM SCORES
1. Arizona State -- 60
2. LSU -- 53
3. Michigan -- 36
4. Texas A&M -- 34
5. UCLA -- 30
6. Texas -- 29
7. USC -- 27
8. Cal -- 26
9. Georgia -- 24
10. Stanford -- 23
10. Texas Tech -- 23