April 24, 2009

Brutus Hamilton Inv. Results

BERKELEY, Calif. - Junior Russell Pfaff finished second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 8 minutes, 48.81 seconds at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational at Cal on Friday, narrowly missing a school record but becoming the UC Davis men's track and field team's eighth qualifier for the NCAA Division I Regional Championships.

Pfaff's performance in the university/open section of the event helped highlight the Aggies' first day at the two-day meet. Thomas Phillips provided another highlight, finishing second in the 400 hurdles in 50.96 seconds, a time which will move him up in the national rankings.

The Aggie women were sparked by Ugo Eke in the 200, Jenna Gailey in the 800 and Katie Maltester in the 400 hurdles, each of who posted season-best times for the team in their respective events. Eke was sixth in 25.02, Gailey was second in 2:14.37 and Maltester was ninth in 1:02.96.

Pfaff made a strong effort to break Ed Haver's steeplechase record of 8:48.54 set in 1971 while also challenging unattached runner Jacques Sallberg for first place in Friday's race. He barely missed Haver's mark by ,27 while Sallberg crossed just in front of Pfaff in 8:48.55.

Pfaff, however, easily beat the NCAA regional-qualifying mark of 9:07.00, helping the Aggie men increase their list of qualifiers to eight. Pfaff's performance also moved him to No. 2 all-time at UC Davis and was the first change to the Aggies' steeplechase list in five years.

Phillips had a huge personal-best in the hurdles, placing second to Jake Hanson of Cal who won in 50.60. Phillips' 50.96 time beat his previous-best of 51.25 from earlier this year by almost a half-second and solidified his No. 2 position on the program's all-time list. He entered the week ranked No. 20 in Div. I in the hurdles.

Other highlights from the men came from Jamie Feaster who became the second Aggie this season to clear 16-feet in the pole vault, winning the event at Cal on Friday at 16-00.75. Patrick Parsel finished fourh in the 5,000, crossing in 14:32.80, best on the team this season. Jonathan Peterson was second in 14:38.93.

The UC Davis women had a trio of other top-three finishes during Friday's competition. Tessa Fraser was second in the pole vault at 12-01.50 while Lauren Radke took third in 11-07.75. Chidinma Onyewuenyi added another third-place performance with her mark of 169-03 in the hammer.

UC Davis will return to Cal on Saturday for the second day of competition at the meet.

BRUTUS HAMILTON INVITATIONAL
Berkeley, Calif. (hosted by Cal)
Winners and UC Davis results only

WOMEN
200 - 1. Brook Turner, Cal, 24.60... 6. Ugo Eke, 25.02, 7. Nicole Theus, 25.16; 11. Stephanie Eckels, 25.70; 15. Alana Babers, 26.29.
400H - 1. Latrisha Jordan, FSU, 58.49... 9. Katie Maltester, 1:02.96; 11. Sirena Williams, 1:04.63.
800 - 1. Francesca Weems, Cal, 2:13.48... 2. Jenna Gailey, 2:14.37.
5,000 - 1. Kaitlin Gregg, unat, 16:25.27... 9. Sarah Sumpter, 17:22.59; 10. Caitlin Fitzgerald, 17:23.31; 17. Krista Drechsler, 17:45.80; 18. Anna Smidebush, 17:50.87.
PV - 1. Ericka Violett, Sac St., 3.85 (12-07.50)... 2. Tessa Fraser, 3.70 (12-01.50); 3. Lauren Radke, 3.55 (11-07.75); Vanessa Chin, NH; Jackie Attiyeh, NH; Azaria Lewis, NH.
HT - 1. Sarhon Ayala, FSU, 62.38 (204-8)... 3. Chidinma Onyewuenyi, 51.58 (169-03); Sarah O'Neill, foul; Sebastiana Hernandez, foul.

MEN
200 - 1. Kellen Curry, Air Force, 21.31... 3. Micah Grant, 21.89.
400H - 1. Jake Hanson, Cal, 50.60... 2. Thomas Phillips, 50.96; 8. Nolan Frazier, 53.88.
800 - 1. Brian Vallie, NM, 1:52.96... 10. Jonathan Sees, 1:55.50; 17. Patrick Williams, 2:00.29.
5,000 - 1. Kari Karlsson, Cal, 14:19.51... 4. Patrick Parsel, 14:32.80; 5. Jonathan Peterson, 14:38.93; 10, Kindu Ejigu, 14:56.79; 11. Scott Himmelberger, 14:57.04; 13. K.C. Cody, 15:06.49.
Steeple - 1. Jacques Sallberg, uant, 8:48.55... 2. Russ Pfaff, 8:48.81; 5. Kyle Suarez, 9:17.28; David Buscho, 9:25.80,
PV - 1. Jamie Feaster, UC Davis, 4.90 (16-00.75)... T3. Joey Farkash, 4.60 (15-01.00); T3. Daniel Turvey, 4.60 (15-01.00).
HT - 1. Brian Vazquez, BH, 60.13 (197-03)... 9. Eddie Orgon, 45.62 (149-08).
JT - 1. Ryan Young, Cal, 68.48 (224-08)... 8. Lance Walkington, 56.21 (184-05); 9. Brock Bennett, 55.73 (182-10); 12. Will Guthrie, 50.19 (164-08); 13. Matt Roberts, 47.52 (155-11).