Wednesday, April 9, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. - Led by Alaska Anchorage’s Micah Chelimo and Western Washington’s Bethany Drake, 20 GNAC track-and-field athletes are ranked in the Top 10 in 24 events in the latest NCAA Division II TFRRS performance lists.

Both Chelimo and Drake are ranked No. 1 after setting GNAC records last weekend in the men’s 10,000 meters (28:37.75) and women’s javelin (169-6) at the Stanford Invitational and UPS Shotwell Invitational, respectively.

Chelimo broke the GNAC record in the 10,000 meters by 31 ½ seconds running a NCAA automatic qualifying time of 28:37.75.  He is the first athlete in GNAC history to run in the 28s.

Drake set a GNAC record in winning the javelin with a automatic national qualifying throw of 169-6.  That mark earned Drake USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week honors. It also ranks fourth all-time in NCAA Division II history and is the 10th longest throw this spring in all divisions.

Those were two of four GNAC records set last weekend. 

Jamie Ashcroft of Alaska Anchorage broke her own record in winning the women’s 100 meters at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival in a time of 11.74.  She shaved .10 seconds off the previous record.  

Ashcroft also anchored UAA’s 4x100 meter relay team that set a GNAC record in winning the event at San Francisco State in a time of 46.56.

Western Oregon’s Brady Beagley, Frank Catelli of Western Washington, Ashcroft and WWU’s Katelyn Steen all have two Top 10 national performances. 

Beagley, who has PNQs in three different events, placed sixth in the steeplechase at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival in a provisional national qualifying time of 9:07.66.  That time ranks  sixth in Division II.  He also has Division II's fifth-best time in the 1500 (3:50.72).

Catelli ranks sixth nationally in the shot put (57-2 1/4) and ninth in the discus (165-4).  Ashcroft is ranked sixth in the women's 100 and eighth in the 200 (24.27).  Steen ranks fifth in the 5000 (16:59.03) and sixth in the steeplechase (10:54.78).

TOP 10 NATIONAL LEADERS (though April 7): Men:  800 – 5. Ryan Hansen, WOU, 1:51.27. 1500 – 3. Isaac Kangogo, UAA, 3:49.60; 5. Brady Beagley, WOU, 3:50.72. Steeplechase – 6. Brady Beagley, WOU, 9:07.66.  10,000 – 1. Micah Chelimo, UAA, 28:37.75.  Shot Put –  6. Frank Catelli, WWU, 17.43 – 57-2 ¼.  Discus – 5. Kevin Rima, NNU, 51.28 – 168-3; 9. Frank Catelli, WWU, 50.40 – 165-4.  Javelin – 2. Franz Burghagen, UAA, 69.87 – 229-3; 6. Shane Brooks, WOU, 64.49 – 211-7.  WOMEN: 100 –  6. Jamie Ashcroft, UAA, 11.74.  200 – 8. Jamie Ashcroft, UAA, 24.27. 800 – 2. McKayla Fricker, SPU, 2:08.00; 4. Lynelle Decker, SPU, 2:10.58; 8. Natalie Evans, NNU, 2:11.04; 9. Sarah Sawatzky, SFU, 2:11.57.  1500 – 5. Ivy O’Guinn, UAA, 4:31.57. Steeplechase – 6. Katelyn Steen, WWU, 10:54.78.  5000 – 2. Joyce Kipchumba, UAA, 16:44.97; 4. Jordan Rehfeld, NNU, 16:57.15; 5. Katelyn Steen, WWU, 16:59.03.  4x100 Relay – 7. Alaska Anchorage  46.56. 4x400 Relay – 10. Seattle Pacific 3:45.63.  Javelin – 1. Bethany Drake, WWU, 51.66 – 169-6; 4. Katie Reichert, WWU, 49.40 – 162-1; 6. Seabre Church, WOU, 47.48 – 155-9.

Seawolves Climb To Ninth in Computer Rankings - Alaska Anchorage moved up one slot and is ranked ninth in this week’s  USTFCCCA NCAA Division II Men's Top 25 team computer rankings.  The Seawolves climbed seven spots to No. 13 in the women’s rankings.  Western Washington dropped one spot to No. 15 in the women's rankings.  Seattle Pacific, meanwhile, vaulted 13 positions and is now ranked 20th.  

This Week's Schedule: Thursday – Sacramento State Multi (UAA). Friday – Spokane CC WAR VII (CWU, MSUB, NNU, SMU); Sacramento State Multi (UAA); WOU John Knight Twilight (WOU). Saturday - Spokane CC WAR VII (CWU, MSUB, NNU, SMU); Washington Open (SPU, WWU); SFU Emilie Mondor Invitational (SFU).

BY THE NUMBERS

GNAC ALL-TIME TOP 10 OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES (for March 31-April 6):  Men: 200 – 6. Tyrell Williams, WOU, 21.59; 8. Joel Webster, SFU, 21.74. 400 – 3. Joel Webster, SFU, 48.05. 800 – 6. Ryan Hansen, WOU, 1:51.27. 10,000 – 1. *Micah Chelimo, UAA, 28:37.75.  110 Hurdles – 2. Kody Rhodes, WOU, 14.61. Discus – 6. Kevin Rima, NNU, 51.28 – 168-3.  Women: 100 – 1. Jamie Ashcroft, UAA, 11.74.  5,000 – 6. Joyce Kipchumba, UAA, 16:44.97; 8. Jordan Rehfeld, NNU, 16:57.15. 4x100 Relay – 1. Alaska Anchorage 46.56; 4. *Seattle Pacific 47.09.  4x400 – 4. *Seattle Pacific 3:45.63.  Pole Vault – 10. Alison Silva, NNU, 3.71 – 12-2.  Javelin – 1. Bethany Drake, WWU, 51.66 – 169-6.  (Note: All performances were at San Francisco State Distance Carnival except where noted: *Stanford Invitational +UPS Shotwell).

LAST WEEK’S NCAA OUTDOOR QUALIFIERS (for March 31-April 6): Men: 400 – Ethan Hewitt, UAA, 48.00. 800 – Ryan Hansen, WOU, 1:51.27; Josh Hanna, WOU, 1:52.00. 1500 – Cameron Proceviat, SFU, 3:52.06. 5000 – Oliver Jorgensen, SFU, 14:34.94.  10,000 – *Micah Chelimo, UAA, 28:37.75; Dylan Anthony, UAA, 30:19.90; Victor Samoei, UAA, 30:37.63.  110 Hurdles – Kody Rhodes, WOU, 14.61. Steeplechase – Brady Beagley, WOU, 9:07.66; Zach Holloway, WOU, 9:19.13.  Discus – Kevin Rima, NNU, 51.28 – 168-3. Javelin – Franz Burghagen, UAA, 69.87 – 229-3; +Slater Hirst, WWU, 59.75 – 196-0.  Women: 100 – Jamie Ashcroft, UAA, 11.74.  800 – *Lynelle Decker, SPU, 2:10.58; *Natalie Evans, NNU, 2:11.04; Sarah Sawatzky, SFU, 2:11.57; *Ivy O’Guinn, UAA, 2:12.12.  1500 – *Ivy O’Guinn, UAA, 4:31.57.  5,000 –  Joyce Kipchumba, UAA, 16:44.97; Jordan Rehfeld, NNU, 16: 57.15; +Katelyn Steen, WWU, 16:59.03.  Steeplechase – +Dani Eggleston, CWU, 11:12.81. 4x100 Relay –  Alaska Anchorage 46.56; *Seattle Pacific 47.09.  4x400 – *Seattle Pacific 3:45.63.  Pole Vault – Alison Silva, NNU, 3.71 – 12-2.  Javelin –  Bethany Drake, WWU, 51.66 – 169-6.  (Note: All performances were at San Francisco State Distance Carnival except where noted: *Stanford Invitational +UPS Shotwell).

LAST WEEK:

Western Washington Combined (April 3-4 at Bellingham): Decathlon – 2. Michael Stralser, WWU, 5587; 4. Justin Peterson, CWU, 4656; 6. Nic Venema, CWU, 3265.  Heptathlon – None.

UPS Shotwell Invitational (April 4-5 at Tacoma): Men – Western Washington 201 ½, Central Washington 108, Pacific Lutheran 87, Puget Sound 71 ½, Everett CC 57 ½, Saint Martin’s 39, Simon Fraser 30, Seattle Pacific 23, Tacoma City RC 16, Trinity Lutheran 13, Mt. Hood CC 13, TCRC 8, Olympic 5, Green River CC 3.  GNAC Winners: 100 – Kent McKinney, CWU, 10.91.  200 – Alex Donigian, WWU, 21.86. 400 – Alex Donigian, WWU, 49.87.  800 – Cody McCranie, WWU, 1:54.09.   110 Hurdles – Travis Milbrandt, WWU, 15.28.   High Jump – Brett Watson, WWU, 1.94 – 6-4 ¼.   Long Jump – Luke Plummer, CWU, 6.78 – 22-3.  Triple Jump – Luke Plummer, CWU, 13.61 – 44-8.  Shot Put – Frank Catelli, WWU, 16.84 – 55-3.  Discus – Frank Catelli, WWU, 49.52 – 162-6.   Javelin – Slater Hirst, WWU, 59.75 – 196-0.  Women – Western Washington 151, Central Washington 110, Pacific Lutheran 105, Puget Sound 75 ½, Mt. Hood CC 63, Saint Martin’s 48, Simon Fraser 47, Seattle Pacific 29, Christ Life 20, Everett CC 19 ½, Seattle University 10, Oiselle 6, Trinity Lutheran 5, Green River CC 2.   GNAC Winners:  400 – Shawna Troupe, WWU, 59.46.  1500 – Austen Reiter, WWU, 4:45.62.  5000 – Katelyn Steen, WWU, 16:59.03.  400 Hurdles – Irene Moore, SMU, 1:04.37.   High Jump – Tayler Fettig, CWU, 1.66 – 5-5 ¼.  Pole Vault – Cheyanna Pinley, WWU, 3.38 – 11-1.  Long Jump – Tanya Bjornsson, WWU, 5.38 – 17-8.  Triple Jump – Kye Fedor, SFU, 11.02 – 36-2.   Javelin – Bethany Drake, WWU, 51.66 – 169-6. 

Stanford Invitational (April 4-5 at Palo Alto): Men (Top 8): 10,000 – 3. Micah Chelimo, UAA, 28:37.75.  400 Hurdles – 8. Bobo Camara, UAA, 53.51.   Javelin – 1. Franz Burghagen, UAA, 69.87 – 229-3.  Women (Top 8): 100 – 5. Jamie Ashcroft, UAA, 11.90.  4x400 Relay – 7. Seattle Pacific (BryAnne Wochnick, Kishia Mitchell, Kyra Brannan, Tasia Baldwin) 47.09.

Montana State Invitational (April 4-5 at Bozeman): Men (Top 4): 1500 – 4. Robert Peterson, MSUB, 3:59.85.  10,000 – 2. Jamon Rodrigues, MSUB, 33:10.07; 3. Garrett Love, MSUB, 34:45.80; 4. Jacob Marshall, MSUB, 36:58.56.  400 Hurdles – 5. Lewis Polkow, MSUB, 56.18. Pole Vault – 6. Cole Campbell, MSUB, 4.25 – 13-11 ¼.  Shot Put – 4. Anthony Montanez, MSUB, 14.89 – 48-10 ¼.   Women (Top 4): 100 Hurdles – 4. Hope Reid, MSUB, 15.58.  10,000 – 2. Jinise Osborne, MSUB, 40:19.88; 4. Mary Owen, MSUB, 41:12.95.  4x400 Relay – 4. MSU Billings 4:27.86.   Discus – 2. Corrie Holm, MSUB, 41.32 – 135-7.  

San Francisco State Distance Carnival (April 4-5 at San Francisco): Men (GNAC Winners): 100 – Tyrell Williams, WOU, 10.91.  200 – Tyrell Williams, WOU, 211.59.  400 – Ethan Hewitt, UAA, 48.00.  Mile – Oliver Jorgensen, SFU, 4:19.11.  400 Hurdles – Bobo Camara, UAA, 53.65.  4x100 Relay – Alaska Anchorage (Austen DeWolf, Elliott Bauer, Bobo Camara, Ethan Hewitt) 42.94. 4x400 Relay – Northwest Nazarene (David Harris, Kyle McLaughlin, Stephen Larlee, Andrew Curtis) 3:19.99.  High Jump – Cole Hoberg, NNU, 1.94 – 6-4 ¼.  Discus – Kevin Rima, NNU, 51.28 – 168-3.  Women (GNAC Winners): 100 – Jamie Ashcroft, UAA, 11.74.  800 – Sarah Sawatzky, SFU, 2:11.57.  Mile – Rebecca Bassett, SFU, 5:01.66.   4x100 Relay  - Alaska Anchorage (Makenzie Harsch, Rosie Smith, Sasha Halfyard, Jamie Ashcroft) 46.56.  Triple Jump – Rebecca Laible, WOU, 11.51 – 37-9 ¼.  Javelin – Seabre Church, WOU, 45.69 – 149-11.

Linfield Invitational (April 5 at McMinnville): Men (Top 4):  400 Hurdles – 1. Zach Trask, WOU, 56.56; 4. John Schifferer, WOU, 57.85. 10,000 – 3. Cody Lind, WOU, 35:58.90.  Javelin – 3. Neil Gravatt, WOU, 49.14 – 161-3.  Shot Put – 3. Carraig Colahan, WOU, 13.35 – 43-9 ¾.  Women (Top 4): 800 – 4. Natalie Schafer, WOU, 2:24.48.  Hammer – 4. Allison Cook, WOU, 41.73 – 136-11.

GNAC RED LION ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

MEN: Track – Micah Chelimo, Alaska Anchorage (Sr., Kapkoi, Kenya - Tambach) broke the GNAC record in the 10,000 meters by 31 ½ seconds running a Division II season-best and NCAA automatic qualifying time of 28:37.75 at the Stanford Invitational.  He is the first athlete in GNAC history to run in the 28s. He finished third, just one second in back of the winner from Brigham Young.  Field – Kevin Rima, Northwest Nazarene (Sr., Fairbanks, AK - Hutchinson) finished third at Stanford Friday in the discus with a school-record toss of  165-7.  He then reset the record Saturday at San Francisco State winning the event with a provisional national qualifying throw of 168-3. That is the sixth best mark in GNAC history and ranks fifth this spring in Division II.

HONORABLE MENTION: Brady Beagley, Western Oregon (Sr., Grants Pass, OR – North Valley) placed sixth in the steeplechase at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival in a provisional national qualifying time of 9:07.66.  He finished second among Division II athletes in the meet in a time that currently ranks sixth in Division II.  He now has PNQs in three different events – the 1500, 5000 and steeplechase.  His 1500 meter time of 3:50.72 ranks sixth nationally and is 5000 time of 14:35.37 ranks 13th in Division II ... Joel Webster, Simon Fraser (Fr., Cambridge, IN – Southwood) posted a pair of GNAC All-Time Top 10 times at San Francisco State.  His 200-meter time of 21.74 ranks eighth in GNAC history and his 400 time of 48.05 ranks third.  He finished second in both events – to Tyrell Williams of Western Oregon (21.59) in the 200 and to Ethan Hewitt of Alaska Anchorage (48.00) in the 400 ...  Frank Krause, Saint Martin’s (Jr., Onalaska, WA) finished second in the 400 meters (49.91) at the UPS Shotwell, breaking a 12-year old school record.

WOMEN: Track – Joyce Kipchumba, Alaska Anchorage (Jr., Kapsowar, Kenya – American International) ran the sixth fastest time in GNAC history in the 5,000 meters at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival.  Her time of 16:44.97 bettered the national provisional standard by nearly 35 seconds. It currently ranks second nationally in Division II.   Field – Bethany Drake, Western Washington (So., Sandy, OR) set a GNAC record in winning the javelin at the UPS Shotwell Invitational with a national-leading automatic national qualifying throw of 169-6.  That mark earned Drake USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week honors. It also ranks fourth all-time in NCAA Division II history and is the 10th longest throw this spring in all divisions.

HONORABLE MENTION: Jordan Rehfeld, Northwest Nazarene (Sr., Nampa, ID – Columbia) finished eighth at San Francisco State in the 5,000 meters in a time of 16:57.15.  That time ranks eighth in GNAC history and is fourth this spring in Division II ...  Vessie Umu, Northwest Nazarene (Jr., Colorado Springs, CO – Widefield) placed third in the shot put at San Francisco State in a GNAC season-best 43-8 ... Tasia Baldwin (Jr., Tacoma, WA – Foss) and Kishia Mitchell (Sr., Puyallup, WA – Rogers) led Seattle Pacific to a pair of provisional national qualifying relay times at Stanford.  SPU’s 4x100 team ran a PNQ of 47.09 and its 4x400 team was clocked in a time of 3:45.63.  The latter time ranks 10th this spring in Division II.  Both times rank fourth in GNAC history ... Irene Moore, Saint Martin’s (Jr., Bremerton, WA – Cross Point Academy) won the 400 hurdles (1:04.37), placed third in the triple jump (16-9 ¾) and fourth in the 100 hurdles (15.62) at the UPS Shotwell ... Corrie Holm, MSU Billings (Jr., Billings, MT - West) finished second in the discus at the Montana State Open with a GNAC season-best throw of 135-7 .... Madison McClung, Western Oregon (Sr., Cottage Grove, OR) posted times of 12.12 in the 100 meters and 25.29 in the 200 at San Francisco State. Her 100 time ranks second in the GNAC this spring and her 200 time ranks fourth ...  Seabre Church, Western Oregon (Sr., Florence, OR - Siuslaw) won the javelin at San Francisco State with a throw of 149-11.

For more GNAC Track and Field News, check out the GNAC Weekly Report.