By Heidi Carmack
Representatives from the Cougar track and field team ran hard last week at Notre Dame; however, there weren”t any automatic qualifiers.
“We put forth a good effort,” said women”s coach Craig Poole.
The women”s distance medley relay team ran a tough race. Since they didn”t automatically qualify they”ll have to wait to see how the rest of the nation did this weekend.
Senior Jennifer Grossarth started the DMR strong in the 400, with a season-best time. Junior Carlee Clark ran a strong 800 and junior Julie Meads and sophomore Amy Fowler did well in the 1,200 and 1,600, respectively.
“They were all great performances,” said women”s cross country coach Patrick Shane. “We”re looking forward to going [to nationals] with young women that are ready to run.”
The men”s DMR gave it all they could, and ran a season best and provisional qualifying time. However, their time will probably be about two seconds from making it to the NCAAs, said men”s cross country coach Ed Eyestone.
“We have a provisional mark but I don”t think it”ll be high enough to get us in,” Eyestone said. “I was particularly impressed with our first two legs.”
Junior Jacob Gustafsson and sophomore Chris Carter were the first two runners in the DMR, followed by senior Jason Dorais and sophomore Kyle Perry.
The team also had several individuals who competed in open events. Distance runners Dustin Bybee and Tyrel Jensen, both juniors, ran hard and sophomore Bob Lowe competed in the pole vault.
“No one had any improvements on their previous marks with the exception of the DMR,” Eyestone said.
As for the women, sophomore Mindy Neely won the long jump and junior Tipaleli Fotu won the weight throw. The pole vaulters, junior Ashley McAllister and senior Kelly Furr did well, said Poole, but weren”t able to improve their marks.
“The girls were still tired from the conference meet [last weekend],” Poole said.
