Puyallup native David Elliott breaks 4 minutes in mile to win top section at Husky Classic...
SEATTLE—The distance races and field events were the stars of Saturday’s Husky Classic at the Dempsey Indoor on the campus of the University of Washington.
In the men’s mile, Puyallup native David Elliott (left/photo by Paul Merca) of Boise State became the 100th different performer to break 4 minutes in the mile since the Dempsey opened its doors to track and field athletes, winning the fast section in 3:57.38, leading five men across the line.
The previous heat saw Travis Burkstrand of the Seattle based Brooks Beasts win in 3:59.69 to become the 98th man to crack four minutes, with Oregon’s Connor Winter right behind in 3:59.76, while Washington’s Blake Nelson fell short in his bid to become the seventh Husky to break 4 minutes, running 4:00.68 to take fifth in the heat.
Natalja Piliusina of the Brooks Beasts continued her winning ways, winning the women’s mile in 4:35.31.
In the women’s 3000, freshman sensation Allie Ostrander of Boise State ran 8:54.37 to hold off a charge from Canada’s Gabriela Stafford, who ran 8:54.87. 2012 US Olympian Shalaya Kipp was third in 9:00.92, followed by UW alum Mel Lawrence in 9:03.22.
Izaic Yorks of Washington moved to #6 on the NCAA performance list as he finished second in the men’s 3000 in 7:50.20 to Stanford freshman Grant Fisher, who ran 7:50.06. Fisher, however, competed in the meet as an unattached athlete. The Huskies’ Colby Gilbert finished fourth in 7:50.96.
The women’s 800 saw Oregon’s Annie LeBlanc win in 2:03.84, ahead of her teammate and Olympia native Brooke Feldmeier, who ran 2:03.99, which puts the Oregon duo #5 & #6 on the current NCAA Division I performance list.
On the field, Washington’s Diamara Planell Cruz led a 1-2-3 Husky finish in the women’s pole vault, clearing a Puerto Rican national record and UW school record 14-5.25 (4.40m), with Liz Quick scoring a major personal best with a jump of 14-3.25 (4.35m). Had Quick made the next height with Planell Cruz, the mark would have given her a berth in this July’s US Olympic Trials in Eugene.
Two time MPSF champ Kristina Owsinski finished third with a best of 14-1.24 (4.30m), but may have suffered a season-ending injury to her right Achilles tendon during her attempt at 14-3.25.
In the men’s shot put, Texas’ Ryan Crouser spun his way to a throw of 69-9.75 (21.28m), the furthest throw in the collegiate ranks so far this season, and the second furthest throw in the world this year.
University Place native Andrea Geubelle won both the women’s long and triple jumps, taking the long jump at 21-5.25 (6.53m), and the triple jump at 44-0 (13.41m), both of which are season bests for her.
Track and field action resumes at the Dempsey Sunday beginning at 8:30 am with the UW Indoor Open meet.
BELLINGHAM’S JAKE RILEY & UW GRAD LINDSAY FLANAGAN TOP WASHINGTON FINISHERS AT US OLYMPIC MARATHON TRIALS
In Los Angeles, Galen Rupp of the Nike Oregon Project won his marathon debut on a warm morning, running 2:11:13, to defeat 2004 Athens Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi by 67 seconds at the US Olympic Marathon Trials.
BYU alum Jared Ward nabbed the final spot on the men’s team to Rio, running 2:13:00.
In the women’s race, it was a 1-2 finish for Arizona State alums Amy (Hastings) Cragg and Desiree (Davila) Linden took the first two spots, running 2:28:27, with Linden 33 seconds back.
2008 Olympic 10000m bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan hung on to take third in 2:29:26.
Bellingham native Jake Riley was the top men’s finisher with ties to Washington state, finishing 15th in 2:18:30.
Washington State grad Drew Polley was 51st in 2:27:32, while Lakes HS grad Joe Gray was 75th in 2:31:20, just one place and 15 seconds ahead of Bellingham native Chris Kwiatkowski.
The leading woman with Washington ties was University of Washington alum Lindsay Flanagan, as the 2015 Pan Am Games silver medalist was 14th in 2:39:49.
In a Facebook message to paulmerca.blogspot.com after the race, Flanagan said, "It was a very tough day but I'm grateful for the experience. You never know what will happen in the marathon and I learned a lot about the distance and myself along the way."
Club Northwest’s Emma Polley was 39th in 2:45:03, followed by Sequin HS alum Stephanie Dinius in 45th at 2:46:26. Spokane’s Rachel Jaten was 48th in 2:46:35, and Seattle’s Sarah Robinson was 95th in 2:54:23. Seattle Pacific alum Ruth Perkins was 120th in 2:59:58 to round out the Washington contingent.
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