UW distance medley, select Cougars head to Arkansas Qualifier meet...
After the performance almost three weeks ago where the Huskies put seven men across the line, plus Sam Ellis, who only has outdoor eligibility remaining, qualifying a team for the national championship meet next month should be a foregone conclusion, considering that all four runners from the team that set the meet record of 9:21.10 last year: Luke Houser, Anthony Smith, Cass Elliott, and Brian Fay all return.
Add to that the fact that UW coach Andy Powell has at his disposal a pool that includes NCAA 1500 meter champion Joe Waskom, new school 800 meter record holder Nathan Green (Paul Merca photo), who was seventh in the NCAA 1500 last year; Kieran Lumb, a 5000/10000 specialist who ran 3:53.83 in that epic mile race, and some 400/400 hurdle types to choose from in Daniel Gaik, Jonathan Birchman and Sam Baricevic, the possibility is there for both Washington teams to threaten the mark they set last year.
As of this writing, Washington, which doesn't have a DMR mark this season, has not announced the team makeup. It's a safe bet that Elliott and Green, the last two UW school record holders in the 800, will run on opposite teams.
Among the teams entered are current collegiate leader Virginia (9:27.80), #2 Oklahoma State (9:29.08), Iowa State, Alabama, and host Arkansas.
Washington State is also sending a small contingent of athletes to Fayetteville for the Arkansas Qualifier, primarily sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers, as they try to get an extra meet before next weekend, which is the final qualifying weekend.
The meet begins with the distance medley relays at 2 pm local time (noon Pacific time), and can be streamed on ESPN+ ($ or check with your provider).
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Vancouver native Daniel Nehnevaj finished second to Nick Christie in the men's 3000 meter walk as the USATF Indoor Championships began its three day run Thursday afternoon at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Nehnevaj finished the race in 12:19.23, while Christie took the win in 11:56.67.
In the women's 3000 walk, Bellevue native Katie Burnett was fifth in 14:47.23, as Miranda Melville won in 13:37.69.
Friday's action includes first round action in the men's and women's 800, along with the finals of the men's 3000.
Isaiah Harris, Devin Dixon of the Brooks Beasts, along with training partner David Timlin are in the men's 800; Nia Akins & Laurie Barton of the Beasts go in the women's 800; and UW volunteer assistant coach Sam Prakel, former Beast David Ribich, and Bellarmine Prep alum Jack Yearian run in the finals of the men's 3000.
USATF.tv ($) is offering live streaming coverage of day 2 of the USATF indoor championships.
While there are no Washington schools involved in the meet, The Podium is hosting the annual Mountain Pacific Sports Federation indoor track & field championships in Spokane Friday and Saturday.
The meet gets underway at 10 am both days, and is streamed by Flotrack ($).
After the MPSF, The Podium will host the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship on Monday and Tuesday, then get the facility ready for the Western Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships on the 24th & 25th.
NOTE: The University of Arkansas, Washington State University, USA Track & Field and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation contributed to this report.
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