Michigan State University
NCAA National Championships
Track & Field Completes Day One at NCAA Championships
6/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
June 11, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Michigan State track & field program wrapped up a rainy day one at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships, hosted by Arkansas at McDonnell Field on Wednesday. In all, three of the four Spartans to compete on the day advanced past the preliminary heats of their respective events, highlighted by senior Nicole Bush (Wyoming, Mich.), who ran the fastest steeplechase time of the 26 student-athletes in the event. Bush ran 9:49.35, finishing just ahead of Bridget Franek of Penn State in her heat. Bush qualifies as of one of 14 runners that will compete in the finals at 7:40 p.m. (ET) on Friday. Friday's events will air on CBS College Sports, starting at 7 p.m. (ET).
"Nicole was in a race that was a little bit closer than she has been used to this season, but it was nice to see that she was still able to come out on top," director of track & field Walt Drenth said. "She led throughout most of the race and really did a good job of competing in a very competitive heat."
Competing in the women's 5,000m run, senior Lisa Senakiewich (Davison, Mich.) followed the lead of Bush and turned in the top qualifying time in the event, 16:13.69, just seconds off of her personal-best in the event. Senakiewich finished ahead of 26 competitors in the event. The finals in the women's 5,000m run will be run Friday at 9:15 p.m. (ET).
"Obviously Nicole and Lisa were the highlight of the day," Drenth added. "To run in the conditions that we had is very difficult; Lisa ran well after midnight. I thought they did a great job of keeping their composure and not getting frazzled by the conditions. Lisa is having the type of spring in which she would really be the highlight of the program if it were not for Nicole. She has consistently competed at a very high level."
Senior sprinter Jeremy Orr (Detroit, Mich.) was the first competitor on the day for the Spartans, but he had to wait through a four-hour rain and lightning delay to start. Racing in the 400m dash, Orr ran 46.51, placing fourth in his heat. Having run in the first of five heats, Orr had to wait through the remaining four to see if his time would hold up. By the end of the final heat, Orr was in 17th place, earning him a spot in the semifinals, which will be contested on Friday at 8:15 p.m. (ET).
"Jeremy drew an outside lane, and he really does not prefer to run in those," Drenth said. "But he did do a great job of competing and battling to put up a decent time and advance. All you can hope is that you have people advance to the later days, and he did that. I have no doubt that if he draws a good lane, he can come back and make a run at the finals."
Next up for the Spartans was the women's 3,000m steeplechase. Bush was in the fastest of the two preliminary heats as four runners clocked in at less than 10:00.00. Colorado's Jennifer Barringer topped the first heat, setting up a final that will pit Bush against Barringer as the top two steeplechase racers in the nation. Bush's teammate Sarah Price (Mankato, Minn.) competed in her final collegiate race as she placed ninth in the first heat of the race. Price clocked in at 10:23.10, earning her 17th overall.
Freshman Lonnie Pugh (Grosse Ile, Mich.) will be the lone Spartan to compete Thursday as he will take part in the men's discus at 2 p.m. (ET). For a complete recap of Pugh's performance, check back with www.msuspartans.com.
Players Mentioned
