February 8, 2010

Lady Tigers break four school records at Iowa State University Cyclone Open

Competing for the first time in two weeks, the Cowley College women’s indoor track and field team picked up where they left off as they broke four school records and established 14 national qualifying marks at the Iowa State University Cyclone Open held Friday and Saturday in Ames, Iowa.

“We were pretty excited,” Cowley head coach Mark Phillips said. “Overall, we had some awfully good performances.”

Robin Ray and Cecilia Burley continue to tear it up in the distance events as Ray broke the school record with a national qualifying time of 5:11.22 in the mile run, and Burley set the school record in the 3,000-meter run with a national qualifying time of 10:22.94.

“Robin and Cecilia were both unbelievable,” Phillips said.

The previous record time of 5:11.34 in the mile run was set clear back in 2003 by Ruth Kinyanjui, while Burley’s time in the 3,000-meter run surpassed the previous mark of 10:31.85 set by Irene Kosgei in 2006.

Katie Gillmore broke her own school record in the pole vault by clearing 11-5 ¾, and freshman Richelle Farley’s time of 9.12 in the 60-meter hurdles broke her own school record set in the season opening meet at the University of Nebraska.

“We still keep finding things for Richelle to do,” Phillips said.

Fellow freshman Leigh Ann Omarkhail also had a stellar meet as she qualified for nationals in the 1,000-meter run (3:07.18), 3,000-meter run (10:54.08) and ran as part of the national qualifying distance medley relay team.

“Leigh Ann anchored the DMR and ran an incredible time in the 1,000,” Phillips said.

Sophomore Marvia Lewin also performed well and qualified for nationals in the 800-meter run (2:22.80), 1,000-meter run (3:13.20, and joined Omarkhail, Farley and Val Bland on the distance medley relay team. Bland also qualified for nationals in the 800-meter run (2:27.32), while freshmen Allison Hoover (pole vault) and Cearra Reddig (shot put) rounded out Lady Tiger national qualifiers.

The Tigers will take the majority of its field athletes to compete at the Pittsburg State Invite on Friday, while a select group of athletes will compete at the University of Arkansas Tyson Invite on Friday and Saturday.

“It will be an incredible opportunity for those athletes who get to go compete at Arkansas,” Phillips said.

Results:

• Distance Medley Relay — Cowley “A” (Val Bland, Richelle Farley, Marvia Lewin, and Leigh Ann Omarkhail), 12:50.18, seventh, national qualifier.
  
• 200-meter dash — Lamonica Johnson, 28.59, 20th; Cinnamon Striplin, 30.06, 22nd.
  
• 5,000-meter run — Robin Ray, 18:16.38, third, national qualifier; Cecilia Burley, 18:54.26, fifth.
  
• Weight throw — Ruthann Ralstin, 43-11 ¼, 16th; Cearra Reddig, 39-3, 20th; Whitney Green, 37-0 ½, 21st; Tiffany Tolbert, 36-9 ¾, 22nd; Stephanie Hope, 33-1 ¾, 23rd.
  
• Pole vault — Katie Gillmore, 11-5 ¾, second, national qualifier, school record; Allison Hoover, 10-0, sixth, national qualifier.
  
• 60-meter hurdles — Farley, 9.12, third, national qualifier, school record; Gillmore, 10.39, ninth; Striplin, 10.84, 10th.
  
• 60-meter dash — Johnson, 8.26, 15th.
  
• 600-yard run — Cassy Kendrick, 1:40.70, 13th.
  
• Mile run — Robin Ray, 5:11.22, seventh, national qualifier, school record.
  
• 400-meter dash — Striplin, 1:11.23, 12th.
  
• 800-meter run — Marvia Lewin, 2:22.80, 10th, national qualifier; Bland, 2:27.32, 15th, national qualifier; Kendrick, 2:40.08, 19th; Kate Scott, 3:09.14, 21st.
  
• 3,000-meter run — Cecilia Burley, 10:22.94, fourth, national qualifier, school record; Omarkhail, 10:54.08, 12th, national qualifier; Bailey Hawkins, 11:23.36, 19th; Purity Cheruiyot, 11:44.91, 24th.
  
• 1,000-meter run — Omarkhail, 3:07.18, sixth, national qualifier; Lewin, 3:13.20, national qualifier.
  
• Shot put — Cearra Reddig, 38-11 ¾, 10th, national qualifier; Green, 31-11 ½, 17th; Ralstin, 31-1 ¼, 18th; Hope, 30-9 ¾, 19th; Tolbert, 29-4 ½, 20th.
  
• High jump — Scott, 4-11, third.