Wildcats set records, hit provisional track marks during weekend
By: Connor Ramey
Issue date: 5/14/08 Section: Sports
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On Stanford's Cobb Track, Bauhs ran a time of 27 minutes, 48.06 seconds during the 10,000-meter run, shattering the old Division II mark by 15 seconds. Placing seventh in an international field, his time was the fastest for any American this year.
"It was huge. It was the best athletic feat I have ever witnessed," distance coach Gary Towne said, comparing the run to Bauhs' sub-four minute mile. "He is not a miler, he is a 10-K runner and he showed that."
His impressive time was the ninth fastest ever by an NCAA athlete at any level and was the fourth fastest by any American-born NCAA athlete.
"He is arguably the best distance runner in college. It has a lot of people talking about us and him, and that's great," Towne said.
Bauhs' time gives him a good chance to represent the United States in the Beijing Olympics. To do so, Bauhs needs to place in the top three in the July 4 Olympic Trials.
Bauhs' record day in Stanford was only a precursor to the Wildcats' success six days later. After winning the CCAA championship for the fifth-straight time, the men's track and field team, along with the women's, warmed up for the NCAA Championships by setting new school records.
In the last opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Championships, the track and field team sent those who needed to improve their times to either the Aggie Twilight in Davis or the Occidental College Invitational in Los Angeles on Saturday.
In Los Angeles, both Kayla Silva and Lindsey Brown broke Chico State records. Silva placed eighth in the 1,500-meter race, running a time of 4:29.32, setting a Division II national qualifying mark. Brown placed fifth in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:11.84, also a national qualifying mark.
"Any time you have a school record broken it's a pretty big deal," Towne said. "Not many school records are broken unless Scott Bauhs runs."
Two other qualifying marks were set at the event. Shannon McVannel ran an 11:2.79 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing third. Angel Marquez placed 10th in the 1,500-meter race, running a time of 3:50.17.
At UC Davis, the Wildcats continued to post national qualifying marks, setting two. Zach Buchanan placed second in the men's pole vault at 16 feet, 6.75 inches. The mark was the second best in Chico State history. Katrina Rodriguez placed sixth with the third best mark in school history in the women's pole vault at 11 feet, 11 inches.
Other Wildcats saw success over the weekend. Katie Wilson won the javelin with a 38.38-meter throw. Florian Totzauer placed second in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:32.60 seconds.
A few Wildcats will take part in the upcoming NCAA Championships held in Pomona from May 22 to 24.
Only those who posted a national qualifying mark during the season can participate in the NCAA Championships.
Connor Ramey can be reached at
cramey@theorion.com
Related links
Aggie Twilight track meet results
Occidental Invitational track meet results
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