May 16, 2001
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This Week --
Arizona State track and field will travel to Northern California for the 2001 Pac-10 Championships held at Edwards Stadium on the campus of the University of California-Berkeley Saturday, May 19 through Sunday May 20. Field event finals Saturday begin at 10 a.m., with track events scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Finals for the 3000m steeplechase and the 10,000m will be held Saturday. Sunday, remaining field event finals will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by track event finals at 1 p.m. The ASU men will look to improve upon last year's third place finish, while the women aim to better their fifth-place finish one year ago in Eugene.
TV Coverage --
Fox Sports Net will distribute a tape-delayed broadcast of the Pac-10 Championships beginning May 25 at 11 a.m. PT. Check local listings for air time.
Hep/Dec Results --
Sun Devils Elizabeth Arollo and Kyle Frerichs met with some tough competition in Berkeley last weekend, placing ninth in the heptathlon and 10th in the decathlon, respectively, in the Pac-10 Multi-Event Championships. Arollo, who turned in a personal best in the high jump (5-4.25), finished with 4,327 points. Frerichs, notching personal bests in the 100m (11.81), high jump (5-11.5) and 1500m (4:40.72), finished with 6,506 points. After the opening weekend of competition, Washington State leads the Pac-10 women's team race with 18 points after finishing one-two in the heptathlon. Ellannee Richardson overcame a 12-point lead by teammate Whitney Evans, winning the final event (800m) to capture the conference crown. Decathlon champion Santiago Lorenzo helped the Oregon men accumulate an early 16-point lead when the remainder of the Pac-10 Championships get underway this weekend.
National Rankings --
According to the latest Trackwire.com poll released May 15, ASU's men are tied for 14th with South Carolina and SMU, while the women are ranked 21st. The men dropped two spots from last week's ranking after making their first appearance in the national polls since March 27 (tied for 18th). The women made their debut in the outdoor rankings last week, breaking in at No. 21 (tied with Missouri Mississippi). In the latest USTCA Team-Power Rankings (May 15), ASU's women are fifth with 372.43 points and the men are seventh with 345.37 points.
ASU Men's Pac-10 Championship History --
Last year's Pac-10 Championships saw the ASU men finish third in the team race, the highest finish for the Sun Devils since tying for second place in 1983, a span of 17 years. Dating back to 1979, the men's squad has notched four top-three finishes, including its only Pac-10 title in 1981. Under head coach Greg Kraft, the men have steadly increased their conference finishes from ninth place in 1998, to a fifth place finish in 1999, to a third-place finish in 2000. The men have tallied a total of 33 individual Pac-10 titles, including current Sun Devil Jeremy Rasmussen who last season became the first runner in ASU history to win a conference title in the 3000m steeplechase.
ASU Women's Pac-10 Championship History --
Since 1987, the ASU women have finished as high as third five times at the Pac-10 Championships. Last year's fifth-place finish was the best performance since 1995 when the Sun Devils also placed fifth in the conference. During Kraft's tenure, the women placed seventh in 1998, eighth in 1999 and fifth in 2000. The ASU women have tallied 33 individual title-winners, including defending champs Tiffany Greer (long jump) and Kelly MacDonald (5000).
Last Year --
The Sun Devils turned in a breakthrough performance at the Pac-10 Championships hosted by the University of Oregon in Eugene last season. The men placed third, the highest finish for a Sun Devil squad since tying for second place in 1983. The men also scored 101 points, surpassing the 100-point plateau for only the second time in ASU history. The ASU women placed fifth, the first top-five finish since 1995. Junior Kelly MacDonald became ASU's first conference champion in the 5000 when she won in her home-state in a time of 16:28.45. Walk-on redshirt freshman Jeremy Rasmussen recorded a career-best 8:49.23 with his winning effort in the men's 3000m steeplechase, the first ASU Pac-10 champion in that event. Senior Dwight Phillips (long jump), freshman Tiffany Greer (long jump) and the men's 4x100 relay team also won league titles, giving ASU a total of five, the most since the 1994 squad earned six. Also, in 40 years of conference history, Phillips became only the seventh man to repeat as the long jump champion.
Sun Devils To Watch --
Going into this weekend's Pac-10 Championships, ASU holds the top time or mark in five events. Marcus Brunson has the fastest men's 100m time (10.14) and ranks second in the men's 200 (20.37). The men's 4x400m relay team of Michael Campbell, Marcus Brunson, Jason Barton and Tony Berrian will vie for a conference title, entering the meet with the best time among their competitors. On the women's side, Lisa Aguilera is tops in the 1500m (4:19.90) and ranks second in the steeplechase (10:08.85) only to teammate Kelly MacDonald (10:06.48). Valerie Williams will be in strong contention for the women's long jump title, leading the Pac-10 with a mark of 21 feet, 2.5 inches. Additional Sun Devils to watch include Tony Berrian and Michael Campbell in the men's 400m, ranking second (45.61) and third (45.62) on the conference list. David Wood is ASU's best threat in the throwers circle, ranking third in the men's shot put (61-11.5). Mary Duerbeck is a strong contender for the women's 10,000m title, entering the meet with the second-fastest time (33:53.52). In addition to Williams, Tiffany Greer, the defending women's long jump champion, will make a run for her second title, ranking third (21-0.5).
ASU Wraps Up Regular Season With Sweeps of UA/NAU --
ASU track and field teams completed their home season with sweeps of Arizona and Northern Arizona in a double dual meet at Sun Angel Stadium May 5. The team race between ASU and UA's women came down to the final event, with the Sun Devil 1600m relay team lifting ASU to the upset over the Wildcats, 101-99. The ASU women also handily defeated NAU 103-61. Arizona's women came out on top versus NAU, 123-68. On the men's side, ASU pulled a 107-83 win over Arizona, while also defeating NAU 114-64. The Wildcat men defeated NAU 97-80. Marcus Brunson (100, 200), Valerie Williams (LJ, TJ) and David Wood (shot put, discus) notched double-wins for ASU, while Kelly MacDonald broke Lisa Aguilera's young school-record in the 3000m steeplechase, winning the race in an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 10:06.48, the fourth fastest in the nation this season.
Aguilera, MacDonald Awarded Highest ASU Honors -- Lisa Aguilera was named the Female Student-Athlete of the Year, while teammate Kelly MacDonald earned the Heather Farr Award as Arizona State University honored its female student-athletes at the annual Wings of Gold Banquet and Auction held at the Scottsdale Conference Resort April 30. Last fall, Aguilera turned in the best individual performance in ASU cross country history, becoming the third Sun Devil woman to earn All-America honors, while leading the women to their best national finish ever (sixth) with her school-record fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. MacDonald was honored with the Heather Farr Award, a distinction given to the ASU female student-athlete who excels in athletics, academics and community service. The honoree must have inspired her teammates by leadership, integrity, courage and dedication.
Brunson, Aguilera Among The World's Elite --
Marcus Brunson was the collegiate leader in the men's 200m with his personal best time of 20.37 set at the Mt. Sac Relays April 22 (a performance which at that point ranked second in the world this year) until a pair of Tennessee runners bettered his time May 11. Going into this weekend's Pac-10 Championships, Brunson ranks sixth nationally in the 100m and third in the 200m. Lisa Aguilera was this year's world leader and collegiate record holder in the women's 3000m steeplechase for 20 days. Running the race for the very first time, she won the event at the Stanford Invitational March 31 in 10:08.85. Her collegiate record was later broken by BYU's Elizabeth Jackson (9:59.50) at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational April 20. Aguilera's young school-record was also broken by teammate Kelly MacDonald at the UA/NAU Double Dual (10:06.48). Aguilera currently ranks seventh on the collegiate list of NCAA qualifiers in the steeple. She also ranks seventh in the 1500m and 10th in the 5000m.
ASU's 45 Second Club --
Of the 14 men in ASU track and field history who have clocked a 400m time of 45 seconds or less, two of those Sun Devils are seniors Michael Campbell and Tony Berrian. Both set PRs in April, only to break them yet again in the Double Dual with UA and NAU. Berrian finished second with his new personal-best of 45.61, followed by Campbell in 45.65, both NCAA provisional qualifying marks. Berrian now ranks 11th on ASU's all-time list and Campbell is tied for 12th with Leon Tubbs (1982). On this year's list of NCAA qualifiers, Berrian is 10th and Campbell is 14th.
Double Duty --
ASU football players Shaun McDonald and Emmanuel Franklin are pulling double duty this spring, joining the track and field squad while on hiatus from their time on the gridiron. Both freshman, McDonald and Franklin have competed as the third and fourth legs, respectively, on the men's 400m relay team. In ASU's Double Dual meet with UA NAU they made their debuts as individuals. McDonald placed third in the 100m with a Pac-10 qualifying time of 10.71, while Franklin ran the sixth-fastest time in the 200m (22.17).
Sun Devils Assault the Record Books --
With only a few weeks left in the 2001 season, this year's edition of the Sun Devil track and field squad has already made its mark in the school record books. Most recently, Kelly MacDonald broke Lisa Aguilera's young 3000m steeplechase record (10:08.85 at the Stanford Invitational), winning the event at the UA/NAU Double Dual in 10:06.48. Aguilera ran the third-fastest women's 5000m time in ASU history at the Mt. Sac Relays (16:06.63). Aguilera also clocked the second-fastest 1500m time in ASU history at the Sun Angel Classic (4:19.90), followed closely behind by MacDonald with the fourth-fastest time in ASU history (4:22.72). At the Stanford Invitational Mary Duerbeck ran the second-fastest women's 10,000m race in school history with her personal best effort of 33:53.52. Also at Stanford, Fasil Bizuneh broke his own school record in the men's 10,000m with a PR of 28:58.61. Adrienne Judie continues to improve her school record in the women's hammer, her latest personal best mark being a throw of 190 feet, seven inches at the Sun Angel Classic. Other notable performances of this year's outdoor season include the men's 1600m relay team of Michael Campbell, Marcus Brunson, Jason Barton and Tony Berrian clocking the second-fastest time in ASU history with an NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 3:03.10 at the Drake Relays. For a listing of current Sun Devils who rank among the top three all-time in an event, see the sidebar.
Recapping the NCAA Indoor Championships --
ASU sent eight individuals and the men's 1600m relay team to the 2001 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., only to have two Sun Devils come away with All-America honors in their respective events. For the second straight season, senior Kelly MacDonald captured All-America honors in the women's 5000m, finishing fifth in a season-best time of 16:20.83. Last year MacDonald set the school record in the event with a time of 16:13.41. Adrienne Judie came away with her first career All-America honors, placing fourth with personal-best mark of 66 feet, 10 inches in the women's weight-throw. Judie also improved upon her already existing school record in the event by two inches, and was 1.5 inches behind the third-place mark by Clemson's Jamine Moton. With points put on the board by MacDonald and Judie, the ASU women ended indoor nationals tied for 25th with Kansas State with nine points.
Head Coach Greg Kraft --
ASU's eighth director of track and field, Greg Kraft is in his fifth year as head coach of the Sun Devil program. Kraft's tenure has been brief, but his list of successes is far-reaching. Over the past four seasons, Sun Devil track has produced 18 individual All-Americans, four individual NCAA runner-up finishes, 22 first or second-team Pac-10 All-Academic selections, two Academic All-American cross country squads and the first four NCAA appearances by a cross country team in ASU history. Kraft, who coaches ASU's jumpers, is assisted by Walt Drenth (distance), Darryl Anderson (sprints), Dawn Dumble (throws), Corey Ihmels (graduate assistant) and Michelle Borgert (volunteer assistant).
2001 NCAA Championships --
This year's NCAA Track and Field Championships will be held Wednesday, May 30 through Saturday, June 2 at the University of Oregon's historic Hayward Field in Eugene. The NCAA will release the final descending order lists Wednesday, May 23. For more information visit www.goducks.com or ncaa.org.
2001 Athlete Notables
Sophomore Lisa Aguilera --
Automatic qualifier in the 3000m steeplechase (10:08.85) and 5000 (16:06.63), and provisional qualifier in the 1500 (4:19.90)...owned the world's fastest time and was the collegiate record-holder in the women's 3000 steeplechase for 20 days this season (March 31-April 20), winning the race in an NCAA automatic qualifying time at the Stanford Invitational...notched first-place finishes in the 1500 at the Baldy Castillo Inv. and the Sun Angel Classic...All-American in cross country, indoor and outdoor track......school record-holder in the indoor mile (4:44.44)...named ASU's Female Student-Athlete of the Year...first-team Academic All-American (cross country)...2000 women's cross country West Region Athlete of the Year and Pac-10 Athlete of the Year....placed a school-record fifth at the 2000 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Sophomore Tiffany Greer --
Defending Pac-10 long jump champion...has provisionally qualified in the long jump (20-11.75) and the 100m (11.53)...has recorded four runner-up finishes in the 100m...won the long jump at the Sun Angel Classic...earned indoor and outdoor All-America honors as a freshman last season...set ASU school record in the indoor long jump last season with personal-best leap of 21 feet, 4 inches...ranks second all-time in the outdoor long jump (21 feet, 2.75 inches)...competed in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials (long jump).
Senior Adrienne Judie --
Has provisionally qualified in the hammer (190-7) and the shot put (51-4.35)...has posted three meet titles in the shot put and one in the hammer this season...earned first career All-America honors, placing fourth in the women's weight-throw at the 2001 Indoor NCAA Championships...holds ASU school records in the weight-throw (66-10) and the hammer (190-7).
Senior Kelly MacDonald --
Defending Pac-10 5000m champion...automatic qualifier in the 3000m steeplechase (10:06.48) and provisional qualifier in the 1500m (4:22.72) and 5000m (16:14.81)......broke Lisa Aguilera's school record in the women's 3000 steeplechase May 5, with a NCAA automatic qualifying time of 10:06.48...last year's Pac-10 runner-up in the 3000m...two-time All-American in the indoor 5000...cross country All-American...holds ASU school records in the indoor 3000m (9:34.56), indoor 5000 (16:31.41), outdoor 5000 (15:55.90) and 3000 steeplechase (10:06.48)...competed in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials (5000).
Senior Valerie Williams --
Provisional qualifier in the long jump (21-2.5) and the triple jump (42-0.75)...won both the triple jump and long jump with NCAA provisional marks, posting a PR in the long jump (21-2.5)...named Pac-10 Women's Field Athlete of the Week (May 7) for her performance at the ASU/UA/NAU Double Dual May 5...owns ASU's top marks in the women's long jump and triple jump this season...last year, in her first season as a Sun Devil, set both indoor (41-0.5) and outdoor (42-1.5) ASU triple jump records...indoor All-American in the triple jump...transferred to ASU from Kentucky prior to her junior season.
Senior Tony Berrian --
Provisional qualifier in the 400m (45.61)...notched one first place finish, three second-place finishes and two third-place finishes in the 400 this season...set PR in the outdoor 400 this season (45.61), placing second at the ASU/UA/NAU Double Dual...anchor of this year's men's 4x400 relay team which holds the second-fastest time in ASU history (3:03.10)......five-time All-American...has earned All-America honors in the indoor 400 (twice), indoor 4x400, outdoor 400 and outdoor 4x400...ASU school record-holder in the indoor 400 (46.16)...1998 U.S. Junior National Champion in the 400.
Sophomore Fasil Bizuneh --
Automatic qualifier in the 10,000m, breaking his own school record at the Stanford Invitational with personal best time of 28:58.61...one of three male cross country All-Americans in ASU history...ASU school record-holder in the indoor 5000 (14:16.07).
Senior Marcus Brunson --
Automatic qualifier in both the 100m (10.14) and the 200m (20.37)... owns nation's fastest time in the 200m this season with personal best of 20.37...has competed in six races this season, winning five and placing second in one...named Pac-10 Men's Track Athlete of the Week (April 23), for his winning effort in the 200m at the Mt. Sac Relays (20.37)...ASU school record-holder in the indoor 55m (6.06) and 60m (6.46), as well as the outdoor 100m (10.10)... earned All-America acclaim in the indoor and outdoor 4x400 relays, and the outdoor 4x100...competed in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials (100).
Junior Brandon Strong --
Provisional qualifier in the 1500m (3:44.13)...ASU's top 800m and 1500m runner this season...has turned in two first-place finishes and three second-place finishes, including a season-best NCAA provisional mark in the 1500 (3:44.13)...earned All-America honors as a member of ASU indoor distance medley relay team last season...ranks second on ASU's all-time indoor mile list (4:05.18)...ranks fifth in ASU history in the 1500 (3:44.01)..
Junior David Wood --
Provisional qualifier in the shot put (61-11.5)...ASU's top shot putter in his first season as a Sun Devil after transferring from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho...named Pac-10 Men's Field Athlete of the Week (April 16) after winning the shot put at the Mesa Classic with an NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 61 feet, 3.5 inches, followed by a second-place finish at the Sun Angel Classic with another PQ mark...won both the shot and discus at the UA/NAU Double Dual...junior college national champion in the discus.