Jan. 15, 2011
Seattle, Wash. - The Cardinal track teams got the season underway at the UW Indoor Preview on the campus of the University of Washington. The Cardinal was led by pole vaulter Katerina Stefanidi who set the school record in the event and veteran hurdler Amaechi Morton.
The junior All-America hurdler Morton was impressive in his 2011 debut, winning the 60-meter hurdles in a time of 7.94 seconds. The time was the second fastest all-time at Stanford, trailing only Myles Bradley, the top high hurdler in school history. The result for Morton was particularly impressive, considering his best event is the 400-meter intermediates, not the high hurdles.
Morton also doubled in the 60 meters and made the final, running 6.97 in the prelims and 6.99 in the final to place fifth. Mark Mueller also competed in the event, just missing the final with a time of 7.18.
Also competing for the Stanford men were a group of distance runners in the distance medley relay. The Cardinal showed off its depth in the distances, entering four teams and placing 1-3-4-5. The winning team was made up of Dylan Ferris, Bronson Duran, Kenny Krotzer and Michael Atchoo. The team led by the All-American Ferris and three freshmen finished in 9:46.80.
Also faring well was the team led by Elliott Heath, that included Alfredo Corrall, Thomas Mallon and Adam Thorne who finished third in 9:51.80. Placing fourth in 9:55.16 were Tyler Stutzman, Morton, Spencer Castro and Tyler Valdes. Finally, Andrew Berberick, Mark Mueller, JT Sullivan and Riley Sullivan placed fifth in 9:57.00.
The Cardinal women were led by Stefanidi who won the pole vault competition and captured the school record along the way. Stefanidi cleared 14-5 1/2 to break her own school record. The mark was also an NCAA automatic standard.
A pair of freshmen hurdlers began their collegiate careers in the 60-meter hurdles and both advanced to the final. In the final, Kori Carter placed fourth with a time of 8.55, while Katie Nelms was sixth with a time of 8.68. Nelms actually ran faster in the prelims with a time of 8.59.
Also making a final was Shataya Hendricks in the 60 meters. Hendricks ran 7.67 in the prelims and then 7.77 in the final to place sixth.
The distance group competed in the distance medley relay, forming three teams that placed 1-2-3 overall. The team of Kristin Reese, Nelms, Victoria Pennings and Jessica Tonn took the title with a time of 11:45.19. They just barely defeated teammates Alex Dunne, Joy O'Hare, Justine Fedronic and Stephanie Marcy, who placed second in 11:45.63. Finally, Sarah McCurdy, Taylor Dewberry, Madeline Duhon and Emilie Amaro placed third with a time of 11:56.88.
The Cardinal will be back in action next weekend at both the Blue and Gold Invitational in Boise, Idaho and the New Mexico Cherry and Silver Invitational in Albuquerque.