School Records Highlight Early Season Indoor Competition

Ana Casillas (Far Left) prior to setting a 3000 meter school record

December 6, 2008

SEATTLE, Wash. - Three Geoducks participated in the University of Washington Indoor Winter Preview track and field meet at Dempsey Arena, each setting school records in the process.

Lindsey Farah doubled, beginning with the rarely run 500 meters. Farah finished 5th in the 11 woman field in a time of 1:22.10. Forty-five minutes later the senior ran 29.0 in the 200 meters. Both performances establish the new standard for the ESC indoor record book in those events.

In the women's 3000 meters Ana Casillas traveled at a blistering 5:43 per mile pace and smashed the previous school record, indoors and outdoors, with a time of 10:40.92. The personal record for Casillas was just 4/10th's off the NAIA "B" qualifying standard for the indoor national championships in March. Casilla's was 6th of 13 competitors.

With no previous school record in the men's indoor 5000 meters, Brian Rakestraw was sure to set a new mark. But impressive for the recent National Cross Country Championships competitor was that he nearly ran his personal best for the event set outdoors last spring. Rakestraw was also close to the NAIA Indoor qualifying standard with his time of 15:33.23.

The meet gave college athletes a chance to test their pre-season track and field fitness. The Geoducks resume indoor games at Dempsey Arena on January 17th.