Wednesday, January 30, 2013
PORTLAND, Ore. - Simon Fraser posted the best time this winter in Division II in the women’s distance medley relay at the University of Washington Invitational last weekend.
The foursome of Helen Crofts, Chantel Desch, Michaela Kane and Lindsey Butterworth were clocked in a time of 11:41.78. That time ranks third in GNAC history.
Crofts is also still the national leader in the 800 meters after running a 2:08.52 at UW. Kane and Butterworth rank sixth (2:13.29) and ninth (2:13.47), respectively, in the 800.
Six of the top 14 times in the women’s 800 currently belong to GNAC athletes. In addition to Crofts (1st), Kane (6th) and Butterworth (9th), McKayla Fricker of Seattle Pacific is 10th (2:13.80) and Simon Fraser’s Sarah Sawatzky (2:14.15) and Kansas Mackenzie (2:14.96) rank 12th and 14th, respectively.
Ruth Keino of Alaska Anchorage ranks second nationally in the women’s 5,000 and UAA’s Micah Chelimo ranks second in the men’s 3,000. Keino’s time of 16:48.34 also ranks fourth all-time in GNAC history. Chelimo’s time of 8:14.15 is a GNAC record.
Also earning a top national ranking for the Seawolves last weekend was Susan Tanui. Her time of 9:38.71 currently ranks third nationally and is second all-time in GNAC history.
UAA, competing in its first-ever indoor meet, had seven performances at UW that currently rank in the Top 10 this winter in NCAA Division II. In addition to Keino, Chelimo and Tanui, also earning Top 10 rankings were Joe Day in the men’s 800 meters (7th, 1:53.05), Alfred Kangogo in the mile (8th, 4:10.52), Dylan Anthony in the 5000 (9th, 14:42.17) and UAA’s men in the distance medley relay ( 3rd, 9:55.87).
In this week's USTFCCCA Computer Team rankings, Seattle Pacific ranks 17th in the women's division. No GNAC team is ranked in the men's division.
TOP 20 NATIONAL RANKINGS: Men: 800 – 7. Joe Day, UAA, 1:53.05;. 15. Chris Olsen, WOU, 1:53.96. Mile – 8. Alfred Kangogo, UAA, 4:10.52. 3000 – 2. Micah Chelimo, UAA, 8:14.15. 5000 – 9. Dylan Anthony, UAA, 14:42.17. 4x400 Relay – 14. Western Washington 3:17.01. Distance Medley Relay – 3. Alaska Anchorage 9:55.87. Women: 800 – 1. Helen Crofts, SFU, 2:08.52; 6. Michaela Kane, SFU, 2:13.29; 9. Lindsey Butterworth, 2:13.47; 10. McKayla Fricker, SPU, 2:13.80; 12. Sarah Sawatzky, SFU, 2:14.15; 14. Kansas Mackenzie, SFU, 2:14.96.