Every year, runners, sprinters, throwers, hurdlers and their requisite groupies all trek out to Iowa's Drake Stadium--proving once again that if you build a sports facility in the Hawkeye State, people will come.
A handful of intrepid New York collegians made the trip this year, and their stories are below.
Men's 10,000 Meters
Tito Medrano, Syracuse University--Tito originally hails from Lafayette, Indiana, making him a Hoosier. Like Rudy--also a Hoosier (see how we made that connection?)--Tito is a guy that just won't quit. Evolving from a cross-country runner to an oval-track runner, Tito has run impressive PRs since the beginning of his tenure at Syracuse, culminating in a 29:07.73 this year in the 10,000m. As of this posting, the Men's NCAA 10,000m Champion has been completed, with Southern Utah senior Cam Levins taking the cake. Tito finished 19th, and wrapped up an inspiring collegiate career.
Men's 1500 Meters
Kyle Merber, Columbia University--This product of Half Hollow Hills West may be New York's best shot at the NCAAs. His 3:35.59 in the 1500m earlier this year made him the second-fastest collegian ever at that distance. He waltzes into this championship meet as the early favorite. You can watch him run a semi-final race at 6:15 PM (CENTRAL TIME) on Thursday, and (cross your fingers) the finals at 11:17 AM CDT on Saturday.
Erik van Ingen, SUNY Binghamton--"I might consider myself the weirdest guy out there, because I have a large black man eating meat [set] as my computer background." That was Erik in a recent Runner's World Daily, talking about a picture of Reese Hoffa he has--and doesn't that really say it all about him?
Men's 5000 Meters
Mitch Goose, Iona University--Oh, the many (hair) stylings of one Mitchell Goose. One of the fastest 5K runners in the state, Mitch runs for a different flag in international competition--that of Great Britain, his home country. His flair backs up his hair, however--with PRs of under 4 minutes in the mile and 13:34 in the 5K, you can't ever underestimate this guy.
Women's 1500 Meters:
Lucy Van Dalen, SUNY Stony Brook--Like Goose, Van Dalen is an international runner--she hails from New Zealand. At Stony Brook, she holds nearly every record--indoors and outdoors--from the 800m to the 5000m. Last year, she finished second at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in this event, but this year--with a wicked lean at the line--Van Dalen earned her first NCAA Indoor Championship in the 1500m.
Women's 3000 Meter Steeplechase:
Katie Hursey, Syracuse University--This Maryland native holds Syracuse University school records in the outdoor 3000m steeplechase (10:08.44) and the indoor 5000m (16:40.95). A redshirt senior (and graduate student), Hursey placed 11th in her heat at these NCAA Championships recently, capping an incredible run as an Orange runner.
Genna Hartung, Cornell University--A native New Yorker, Hartung graduated from Seton Catholic High School in Plattsburgh. A dominant cross country runner, Genna has also helped Cornell to Ivy League dominance during the fall. She's got a PR in this event of 10:10.55, and her qualifying run of 10:12.59 last night in Des Moines nabbed her the last remaining spot for the NCAA Championship Final in this event! Good luck Genna!
Women's 5000 Meter:
Lauren Penney, Syracuse University: A former NY Distance Project Runner of the Week, we have sung Lauren's praises before. She holds 3 school records at Syracuse: the outdoor 5000m (16:09.44), the indoor mile (4:39.00) and the indoor 3000m (9:12.76). She was also recently named Female Athlete of the Year across all sports at the University. Well done so far Lauren--finish strong!
Women's 10,000 Meters:
Katie Kellner, Cornell University--One of the fastest distance runners in school history, Katie's 10,000m mark of 32:58.73 was the fastest ever at Cornell, and the fastest this year in the entire Northeast. She races tonight, and as a junior, has yet another year to build on an already incredible running resume.
Sarah Pagano, Syracuse University--Sarah, a junior, was the Big East Champion in the 10,000m this year. Hailing from New Jersey, she qualified for the NCAAs after running a 34:41.59 in the East Prelims. Can the Orange women bring home 3 impressive performances? A stellar night from Sarah will make that all possible. Tune in tonight on Flotrack.com to watch.
A handful of intrepid New York collegians made the trip this year, and their stories are below.
Men's 10,000 Meters
Men's 1500 Meters
Erik van Ingen, SUNY Binghamton--"I might consider myself the weirdest guy out there, because I have a large black man eating meat [set] as my computer background." That was Erik in a recent Runner's World Daily, talking about a picture of Reese Hoffa he has--and doesn't that really say it all about him?
Men's 5000 Meters
Mitch Goose, Iona University--Oh, the many (hair) stylings of one Mitchell Goose. One of the fastest 5K runners in the state, Mitch runs for a different flag in international competition--that of Great Britain, his home country. His flair backs up his hair, however--with PRs of under 4 minutes in the mile and 13:34 in the 5K, you can't ever underestimate this guy.
Women's 1500 Meters:
Lucy Van Dalen, SUNY Stony Brook--Like Goose, Van Dalen is an international runner--she hails from New Zealand. At Stony Brook, she holds nearly every record--indoors and outdoors--from the 800m to the 5000m. Last year, she finished second at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in this event, but this year--with a wicked lean at the line--Van Dalen earned her first NCAA Indoor Championship in the 1500m.
Women's 3000 Meter Steeplechase:
Katie Hursey, Syracuse University--This Maryland native holds Syracuse University school records in the outdoor 3000m steeplechase (10:08.44) and the indoor 5000m (16:40.95). A redshirt senior (and graduate student), Hursey placed 11th in her heat at these NCAA Championships recently, capping an incredible run as an Orange runner.
Genna Hartung, Cornell University--A native New Yorker, Hartung graduated from Seton Catholic High School in Plattsburgh. A dominant cross country runner, Genna has also helped Cornell to Ivy League dominance during the fall. She's got a PR in this event of 10:10.55, and her qualifying run of 10:12.59 last night in Des Moines nabbed her the last remaining spot for the NCAA Championship Final in this event! Good luck Genna!
Women's 5000 Meter:
Lauren Penney, Syracuse University: A former NY Distance Project Runner of the Week, we have sung Lauren's praises before. She holds 3 school records at Syracuse: the outdoor 5000m (16:09.44), the indoor mile (4:39.00) and the indoor 3000m (9:12.76). She was also recently named Female Athlete of the Year across all sports at the University. Well done so far Lauren--finish strong!
Women's 10,000 Meters:
Katie Kellner, Cornell University--One of the fastest distance runners in school history, Katie's 10,000m mark of 32:58.73 was the fastest ever at Cornell, and the fastest this year in the entire Northeast. She races tonight, and as a junior, has yet another year to build on an already incredible running resume.
Sarah Pagano, Syracuse University--Sarah, a junior, was the Big East Champion in the 10,000m this year. Hailing from New Jersey, she qualified for the NCAAs after running a 34:41.59 in the East Prelims. Can the Orange women bring home 3 impressive performances? A stellar night from Sarah will make that all possible. Tune in tonight on Flotrack.com to watch.
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