Track Opens Washington Invitational with Two Events
1/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
RESULTS
SEATTLE - The Gonzaga men's track team opened the first day of the University of Washington Invitational with successes in a pair of distance events Friday.
The Zags' Nick Roche placed eighth in the 5,000 meters. The senior crossed the line at 14:37.26. He ran the second fastest indoor time in program history on the same track last season at 14:29.52.
"(Nick) was in the race 85 percent of the way and then fell back and lost contact," Director of Gonzaga's track program Pat Tyson said. He was on pace for sub-14:20. I believe he learned a lot. He has more in him, and will be back in two weeks."
Dillon Quintana ran the ninth best time in program history at 14:58.43. The sophomore placed 13th. It was his first time running the 5,000 in an indoor meet at GU.
"It was nice to see Dillon crack 15:00 in 5K and he engaged in the race," Tyson said. "He faded a bit over last lap, but went for the win. It was a good test effort for him."
The Bulldogs' Distance Medley Relay team made their season debut. The foursome of Graham Wendle, Dan Amann, Mitchell Beard, and Kellen Manley finished at 10:27.04. They placed 10th.
"The medley relay was fun to watch," Tyson said. "We had a good first leg over 1,200 meters from Wendle. Manley anchored running 1,600 meters and held off Seattle University down the stretch. Our young guys gained valuable experience."
The second day of the UW Invitational begins Saturday at 9:45 a.m. Gonzaga's first event will be the men's mile at 12:20 p.m. Live video and results will be available on GoZags.com.
Gonzaga's Friday Finishes
* Men's 5,000 meters - Nick Roche (14:38.26, 8th), Dillon Quintana (14:58.43, 13th)
* Men's DMR - Wendle/Amann/Beard/Manley (10:27.04, 10th)
Gonzaga's Saturday Schedule
* 12:20 p.m. - Men's Mile: Ian Goldizen, Zac Garrard, Ned Fischer (Heat 1), Brandon Pollard (Heat 2)
* 1:45 p.m. - Women's 800 meters: Emily Anderson (Heat 1)
* 2:05 p.m. - Men's 800 meters: Andy Phillips (Heat 3)
* 2:20 p.m. - Women's 3,000 meters: Amelia Evans, Shelby Mills (Heat 1)
* 2:35 p.m. - Men's 3,000 meters: Colin O'Neil, Danny Lunder, Kyle Branch (Heat 1)
* 3:15 p.m. - Men's Invitational Mile: Willie Milam (Heat 4)
* 4:35 p.m. - Men's 3,000 meters: Troy Fraley, Robert Walgren (Heat 2)
