March 11, 2011
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Stanford Women's Indoor Records
College Station, Texas - The No. 11 Stanford men got off to a big start at the NCAA Indoor Championships on Friday night from the campus of Texas A&M. Elliott Heath broke his own school record in the 5,000 meters to highlight the night for the Cardinal men.
The Cardinal men ended up with six team points and sit in a tie for 10th. Minnesota, BYU and Florida State are tied for the early lead with 14 points. The Stanford women have all of its competitors on day two, but the early lead for the ladies is Oregon with 26 points.
In the 5,000, Heath dueled with the leaders through 4K, before falling just slightly off the pace, ending up fifth in a new Stanford-record time of 13:34.54. The time broke his own school record of 13:37.77, set earlier this season. Heath's fifth-place finish scored four team points for the Cardinal.
Heath was not alone scoring for Stanford as Chris Derrick finished eighth to score one point for the Cardinal. Derrick was with the leaders through 3K, before eventually finishing in a time of 13:36.87. The time was the second fastest in school history.
Also competing was the MPSF champion in the 5K, Miles Unterreiner. Competing in his first NCAA track meet, Unterreiner placed 15th in a time of 14:33.69. Unterreiner was within reach of the leaders for 3K before falling off the pace.
The Cardinal distance program was not done, however, as it showed off its depth in the distance medley relay. Using a team completely different from the three runners in the 5K, Stanford finished eighth in 9:35.02. Andrew Berberick led off with an outstanding leg in the 1,200 before handing off to Amaechi Morton in the 400. Morton was in second place at the conclusion of his leg after running a split of 46.29. Dylan Ferris then took the baton for the 800-meter leg and handed off to JT Sullivan who spilt 4-flat for the 1,600, but could not hang with the blistering pace of the final mile. The eighth-place finish added one point to first day Cardinal total.
Earlier in the evening, Morton also competed in the prelims of the 400 meters. Morton looked strong, cruising to a second-place finish in his heat with a time of 46.45. The time was the fifth-fastest overall and advances Morton to Saturday's final. As one of eight finalists, Morton is guaranteed to score points for Stanford, barring a false start or DQ.
The Cardinal men and women will continue with the NCAA Indoor Championships on Saturday. The men will look to continue to add points, while the three female competitors for the women will all compete in their events on day two.