Geoducks Qualify Two More for Conference Championships

Ryan Lara (Lane 1 leading) qualifies for the CCC Champs in the 800 meters at Brian Clay

April 17, 2009

AZUSA, Calif. - This weekend five Geoducks had the opportunity to travel to California for the Brian Clay Invitational Track and Field meet hosted by Asuza Pacific University. While no national qualifying marks were achieved, two hit conference qualifying marks.

The remainder of the team competed at the PLU Invitational in Parkland, WA.

Ryan Lara ran his first collegiate open 800 meter race in a time that puts him at #3 on the ESC All-Time list. Placing 2nd in his heat and in the top half overall of the 6 heat field, Lara clocked in at 1:59.71 in the two lapper race. Lara is already qualified in the 400 meters for the CCC Champs. In the CCC, he is ranked 8th and 12th in the 400 and 800 respectively.

Freshman Britta Peterson ran her first 3000 meter steeplechase and despite taking two tumbles and boasting raspberries on both knees she qualified easily for the CCC Champs. Her time of 12:33.19 ranks her #2 on the ESC All-Time list and places her third in the conference standings currently. Peterson has also hit the CCC qualifying standard in the 5000 meters.

Ana Casillas and Eric Jones competed in the longest events of the meet, the 5000 meters. Unfortunately warm temperatures slowed the races down for the entire fields in all heats of the 3.1 mile distance. Casillas still ran her 2nd best track 5000 meters race and has twice been under the CCC qualifying standard in the event. Jones, who has qualified for the NAIA Champs in the marathon, did not make the CCC qualifying time.

Conference teams are allowed three additional entrants into the championships per gender.

The Geoducks will have one last shot at hitting CCC qualifying marks this coming Friday at the WWU Twilite meet in Bellingham.

CCC Qualifiers:

Ryan Lara 400 m / 800 m
Karissa Carlson - 1500 m
Ana Casillas - 5000 m
Britta Peterson - 3000 m Steeplechase / 5000 m