Crichlow Claims 5K Title in Provo
5/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
PROVO, Utah - Matthew Crichlow led a sweep of the top spots in the men's 5,000 meters at the BYU Last Chance Invitational at the Clarence F. Robison Track and Field Complex Thursday.
Crichlow's time of 15:20.94 topped a field of eight runners. The junior edged out teammate, Jack Pearce, who crossed the line at 15:26.25. Max Kaderabek (15:42.96), Danny Lunder (15:46.13), and Dillon Quintana (15:47.14) placed third, fourth, and fifth.
"A crazy weather delay made for some major adjustments in the men's 5,000," Gonzaga Director of Track Pat Tyson said. "We had a double warmup, plus a different strategy. We decided to make the 5K a workout style going for place and not time. (Matthew) Crichlow ran easily in the win! Freshman Jack Pearce ran very well to get second. It was a very good experience for Zags shadowing BYU."
In the men's mile, Andy Phillips was edged at the line by BYU's Chase Horrocks. Phillips' time of 4:08.55 was just behind Horrocks' 4:08.45. With the altitude conversion, Phillips' time is 4:04.0 and 3:46.2 in the 1,500 meters.
Willie Milam was not far behind in fourth at 4:11.95 (4:07.2), and 3:49.5 in the 1,500 meters. Colin O'Neil and Troy Fraley crossed the line in fifth and sixth. O'Neil was at 4:12.19 (4:07.2), a 3:49.7 1,500-meter time. Fraley was 4:13.8 (4:08.8), and 3:51.1 in the 1,500 meters.
"I thought all the milers fought hard," Tyson said. "I thought they were not frisky and free, but hard out there. Andy came close again to that sub-four minute mile. I'm proud of our Zag milers."
Entering the last regular season meet, Milam is 31st in the west region in the 5,000 meters. The senior broke the program record at the Stanford Invitational with a time of 13:53.74. He also set a new 10,000-meter school record at the Mt. SAC Relays. His time of 29:49.78 is currently 44th in the region.
To qualify for a trip to Austin, Texas, and the NCAA West Preliminaries, the top 48 declared student-athletes will be accepted into the competition. Entering Thursday's race, Nick Roche was 48th in the region in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase with a season-best time of 9:00.19. He finished with a 9:46.82. His time was sixth in the event.
"Nick ran really well for the first mile, but then faded," Tyson said. "It was disappointing, but he still got after it. It was a rough last 800 meters for him. It was great experience for Kellen (Manley) and Kyle (Branch). It will pay off for both of them."
Branch (9:49.30) and Manley (9:57.65) placed seventh and eighth in Thursday's race.
Fraley sits comfortably in 28th in the region in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. The sophomore ran an 8:56.23 at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival.
In the women's steeplechase, Corrine placed second with a time of 12:16.67. BYU's Jennica Redd won the race at 11:17.40.
Shelby Mills, who has the 12th fastest 3,000-meter steeplechase time in the region at 10:18.42, came in fourth in the women's mile Thursday. The sophomore crossed the line at 5:09.88. Katy Culver placed fifth with a time of 5:15.25.
Amelia Evans finished second in the 5,000 meters. The junior's time of 17:47.11 was slightly ahead of teammate Jordan Thurston, who placed fourth at 18:06.35.
Molly Stroosma led five Zags in the 800 meters. The sophomore's time of 2:23.35 placed fifth in the event. Kinsly Smith finished sixth in the men's 800 meters at 2:00.61.
"Weather got a little dicey right at the end of the meet but overall it went well," GU women's head coach Patty Ley said. "It was beautiful here today, with a dusting of snow early this morning at the top of the peaks surrounding the area. It was pretty rough in the altitude, though several handled it very well. Shelby ran near her best in the mile, as did Katy Culver who looked great!
"Amelia Evans struggled a bit after the first 2,000 meters in the 5k. She has been fighting a cold over the last two weeks, and the combination of altitude and the cough she has been dealing with just made it tough. Jordan Thurston ran exceptionally well and ran her second fastest 5k, and was right near her PR after a conversion factor. Alison Fraher finished her career running very well in the tough conditions, and was nice to see her off feeling good about her last race."
The qualifiers for the NCAA West Preliminaries will be announced next week on NCAA.com. The West Preliminary is hosted by the University of Texas at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
"A few Zags will go on their own to the Portland Twilight at Lewis and Clark College Sunday for literally a last chance opportunity to qualify for Austin," Tyson said. "Andy Phillips and Nick Roche in particular want one more try at punching a ticket!"
Gonzaga Thursday finishesWomen's 3000m steeplechase: Murray (12:16.67, 2nd)
Men's 3000m steeplechase: N. Roche (9:46.82, 6th), Branch (9:49.30, 7th), Manley (9:57.65, 8th)
Women's mile: Mills (5:09.88, 4th), Culver (5:15.25, 5th), Chucka (5:51.12, 8th)
Men's mile: Phillips (4:08.55, 2nd), Milam (4:11.95, 4th), O'Neil (4:12.19, 5th), Fraley (4:13.80, 6th), McCandless (4:14.61, 8th), Pollard (4:16.56, 9th), Van Deynze (4:19.15, 10th), Amann (DNF)
Women's 800m: Stroosma (2:23.35, 5th), Saunders (2:28.38, 7th) Anderson (2:30.01, 8th), Williams (2:32.17, 9th), C. Fraher (2:35.91, 10th)
Men's 800m: Smith (2:00.61, 6th)
Women's 5000m: A. Evans (17:47.11, 2nd), Thurston (18:06.35, 4th), A. Fraher (19:01.28, 7th), O. Evans (19:14.10, 8th)
Men's 5000m: Crichlow (15:20.94, 1st), Pearce (15:26.25, 2nd) Kaderabek (15:42.96, 3rd), Lunder (15:46.13, 4th), Quintana (15:47.14, 5th), Walgren (DNF)
