Mills and Lunder Take 5,000-Meter Titles
3/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga women's and men's track programs swept the 5,000-meter titles at the Buc Scoring Invite Thursday.
On the first day of outdoor competition, Shelby Mills and Danny Lunder finished first in their respective 5,000-meter races. Lunder led a group of four men's runners from Gonzaga that swept the top four spots, while the GU women placed six runners in the top seven.
"We were really pleased with the race tonight," Gonzaga women's track head coach Patty Ley said. "All seven women were under 19 minutes, which is an indicator of the huge evolution in the depth of the program over the last few years. The women were coming off a really tough workout Tuesday and so the times were really good in light of just a day of rest off of that."
Mills crossed the line at 17:21.20, just in front of teammate Amelia Evans' time of 17:23.35. Jordan Thurston and Olivia Evan also placed in the top five with times of 18:16.32 and 18:25.96. Alison Fraher (18:34.91, 7th), Christina Winters (18:50.37, 8th), and Julie Henling (18:53.43, 9th) rounded out the Bulldog women's finishes.
"Amelia and Shelby were very strong at the front as they shared pacing duties and ran very solid openers," Ley said. "Alison and Julie had strong early season performances as well. Both have struggled just a bit over the last few months so it was really good to see them returning to form. Christina picked up a personal best on tired legs, so she is excited for more. And then our two freshmen, Jordan and Olivia, ran the 5,000 for the first time on the track and came away with fourth and fifth place finishes. We had a great contingent of women come out to the Pine Bowl to cheer on their teammates and hoping they are inspired to keep things rolling tomorrow."
On the men's side, Lunder used a photo finish to edge out teammate Matthew Crichlow. Lunder's time of 14:58.52, was just slightly ahead of Crichlow's 14:58.53. Conor McCandless (15:01.80) and Dillon Quintana (15:10.58) placed third and fourth. Robert Walgren (15:32.38) and Ben Stout (15:37.65) were not far behind in sixth and seventh.
"Our men ran as a posse and swept the top spots," Director of Gonzaga track Pat Tyson said. "We had runners coming off training hard over spring break and thus not rested to run super fast. But, they were competitive and had a great early season start. Now we are excited for day two."
The second day begins with the combined 10,000-meter race. Jack Pearce and Max Kaderabek will open the day for the Zags at 3:10 p.m.
Gonzaga ScheduleFriday
3:10 p.m. Combined 10K: Pearce, Kaderabek
4:15 1500: Albrecht, Anderson, Chucka, Coic, Culver, O. Evans, C. Fraher, Johnson, Jones, Mildes, Murray, Slavosk, Urcadez, Williams, Amann, Beard, Fischer, Phillips, Pollard, Sicalo, Smith, Wendle, Milam
4:55 400: Riley, Saunders, Stralen
5:25 800: Anderson, Culver, C. Fraher, Mildes, Stroosma, Milam
6:10 200: Saunders
6:20 Women's 3000 Steeplechase: Murray
6:40 Men's 3000 Steeplechase: Fraley, Manley, Branch, Roche
6:55 1600 Relay: Riley, Anderson, Stroosman, Saunders, Jones, C. Fraher, Murray, Urcadez, O. Evans, Albrecht, Culver, A. Fraher, Stralen, Slavoski, Wendle, Smith, Pollard, Phillips, Amann, Beard, Sicalo, Fischer
