CU Set For Pac-12 Track & Field Championships

The University of Colorado is set to compete at the 2016 Pac-12 Track & Field Championships, Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15, at Husky Track at the University of Washington in Seattle.

 

As usual, the Buffs look very strong in the distance events. Senior Pierce Murphy ran the top 10,000-meter run time in the league this season at 28:48.79, which is also the fifth fastest in the NCAA Division I. Murphy also ranks second in the Pac-12 in the 5k, clocking in at 13:38.19, the ninth fastest time in the NCAA. Freshman John Dressel is also listed in the top 10 at seventh overall in the 5k (13:48.88).

 

On the women's side, junior Carrie Verdon ranks fourth in the 10k (34:09.31), while sophomore Kaitlyn Benner is fifth in the 5k (15:56.52).

 

Colorado has been a force in the steeplechase, winning six of the eight individual titles since joining the league, including all four of the women's crowns. The Buffs return the reigning men's and women's champions to the track this year. Senior Connor Winter has the fastest time in the Pac-12, 8:41.37, which is 11^th in the country. Sophomore Erin Clark is also 11^th in the NCAA and is second overall in the league standings with a time of 10:00.77.

 

Winter and Clark will have some competition from their teammates. Sophomore Val Constien is ranked fifth (10:08.18) and grad student Lucy Cheadle is 10^th (10:33.01). Sophomore Adam Peterman is seventh on the men's side after running 8:55.92 this season.

 

The middle distance events also look great for the Buffs according to the performance lists. Freshman Dani Jones leads CU in both the 800 and 1,500. Her time of 2:05.27 in the 800 is seventh in the league, while her mark of 4:15.79 in the 1,500 is third. Another freshman, Elissa Mann, has the eighth fastest 800 this season (2:05.78), while senior Maddie Alm is eighth in the 1,500 (4:17.83).

 

The men are led in the middle distance events by a strong 1-2 punch of junior Nick Harris and sophomore Zach Perrin. Harris ranks seventh in the 800 (1:49.38) and is eighth in the 1,500 (3:43.07), while Perrin is sixth in the 800 (1:49.16) and 12^th in the 1,500 (3:43.07).

 

Sophomore Ana Holland will lead Colorado's sprinters into action this weekend. She owns the Buffs' 100 (11.61) and 200 (23.45) records, which put her 13^th and ninth, respectively, in the conference. CU's 400 record holder, seniorEileen Gehring, will also race at Pac-12s and is listed 15^th in the 400 (54.36). In the hurdles, freshman Gabby Scott has a top 20 ranking at 16^th in the 400-hurdles, clocking in at 1:01.10,

 

Junior Jaron Thomas is the top hurdler for the Buffs, ranking fourth in the 400-hurdles (51.87) and fifth in the 110-hurdles (14.12).  In the open sprints, freshman Duane McClurkin Jr. leads CU in the 200 (16^th, 21.38) and 400 (11^th, 47.60).

 

Colorado's relays are listed in the top 10 heading into this weekend. The men's 4×100 and 4×400 are ranked ninth and fifth, respectively, while the women are fifth (4×100) and sixth (4×400).

 

The field events are also looking to do well. Senior Abrianna Torres finished fourth in the heptathlon last weekend for CU and will compete in some open events this weekend. She ranks fifth in the high jump (5-10) and is 10th overall in the long jump (19-8.75). Senior Kelsey English is fourth in the high jump after clearing 5-10.50 last weekend.

 

 

Senior Brady Rutt is ranked fourth in the hammer heading in the weekend (197-11) and is also ninth in the discus (179-4). Sophomore Mariah Walker has a ninth ranking in the shot put (51-7) and is just outside the top 10 in the discus (11^th, 157-5). Another Buff, freshman Delaney Hall, is listed ninth in the javelin (142-1).

 

The championship will start at 10 a.m. PT on Saturday with the men's hammer throw; the first track event will start at 1 p.m. with the trials of the women's 4×100-meter relay. Sunday's events begin at 9 a.m. with the women's hammer throw and the finals of the women's 4×100 relay will kick off the track events at 1 p.m. The championships will conclude on Sunday with the men's 4×400-meter relay at 5 p.m. and will be followed by an awards presentation at 5:30. All times listed are Pacific.

 

Live stats and a complete schedule for the championships can be found at pac-12.org. A three-hour show of the championships will be broadcast tape delayed on May 22 at 10 a.m. on Pac-12 Network.