May 15, 2002
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This Week --
With the regular season schedule in the books, Arizona State track and field heads to Pullman, Wash. for the 2002 Pac-10 Championships hosted by Washington State University at the Mooberry Track Complex, Saturday, May 18, through Sunday, May 19. The ASU men look to improve upon their fourth place finish from last year, while the women aim to better two-straight fifth-place Pac-10 performances. Stanford is the defending men's champion, while UCLA edged USC by two points for the women's crown last year. Nine conference schools will compete in the two-day meet as Oregon State does not sponsor track and field. Action gets underway Saturday with field events at noon and running events at 12:10 p.m. Sunday, field events begin at 11:30 a.m. and running events commence at 1 p.m.
TV Coverage --
Fox Sports Net will distribute a tape-delayed broadcast of the Pac-10 Championships beginning May 24, at 9 a.m. PT. Check your local listings for air time during that weekend.
Hep/Dec Portion Kicks Off Conference Meet Last Weekend --
The Pac-10 Championships actually got underway last weekend with the multi-event portion of the meet. Washington State's Ellannee Richardson defended her 2001 crown with a win in the heptathlon again this season. Richardson's 5,821 points established a personal best, school record and nation's top performance this season. Billy Pappas from Oregon won the decathlon competition with 7,532 points. Both were named Pac-10 Athletes of the Week. ASU did not enter a participant in either competition. Team scores after multi-events show WSU in first with 16 points on the women's side, while Oregon and USC are tied for first with 14 points.
National Rankings --
In the USTCA Team-Power Rankings as of May 14, the men are fifth in the nation and the women are 14th. Team-Power Rankings are dual meet predictors and demonstrate team depth. For the fourth straight week, the ASU women are absent from the latest Trackwire 25 released May 14. ASU's women opened the 2002 outdoor season ranked 25th and moved up to 21st (tie) in the April 9 poll. ASU's men have not been ranked in all six polls of the outdoor season. Pac-10 teams ranked in the latest Trackwire Top 25 are UCLA's women (No. 1), USC women (No. 3), Arizona women (No. 7), UCLA men (No. 10), Stanford men (tied at No. 11), Oregon women (No. 13), Washington State women (tied at No. 14), USC men (tied at No. 14), Stanford women (tied at No. 18) and Cal women (tied at No. 21). Trackwire's 25 is based on predictions for team standings at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships hosted by Louisiana State in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, May 29, through Saturday, June 1.
ASU Men's Pac-10 Championship History --
Last year's Pac-10 Championships saw the ASU men finish fourth in the team race, but the Sun Devils tallied 109.5 points, the second-highest point total in school history, second only to the 1981 Pac-10 Championship team that scored 133 points. In 2000, the men finished third with 101 points, the highest ASU finish since a second-place tie 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 steadily increased their conference finishes from ninth place in 1998, to a fifth-place finish in 1999, to third in 2000. ASU men have won a total of 38 Pac-10 individual or relay titles. Previous champions on the current men's team include senior David Wood (2001 shot put), senior Pete Lopez (2001 4x400m relay team) and junior Jeremy Rasmussen (2000 3000m steeplechase).
ASU Women's Pac-10 Championship History --
For the last two seasons, ASU's women have placed fifth in the Pac-10 team race, the best conference finishes since another fifth-place performance in 1995. ASU's highest overall finish is third, notched five times since beginning Pac-10 competition in 1987. The women's high point total of 104 came with a third place finish in 1993. During Kraft's tenure, the women placed seventh in 1998 and eighth in 1999, before two straight fifth-place finishes in 2000 and 2001. The ASU women have tallied 35 individual or relay Pac-10 titles, including current junior Tiffany Greer in the long jump in 2000.
Last Year --
ASU track and field squads won seven meet titles en route to a fourth-place finish by the men and a fifth-place finish by the women at the 2001 Pac-10 Championships hosted by the University of California-Berkeley. ASU's men dropped one position from their 2000 third-place finish but posted their second-best point total (109.5) in ASU history. With 89 points, the ASU women earned their highest point total since 1994 (96 points). Seniors Marcus Brunson and Kelly MacDonald led the Sun Devils with double-wins in their respective events, as Brunson won both the 100m (10.21) and 200m (20.62), while MacDonald won the 5000m (16:22.75) and the inaugural 3000m steeplechase (10:03.20). Additional winners included senior Tony Berrian in the 400m (45.85), junior David Wood (62-6.5) and the men's 4x400m relay team (3:05.34).
Sun Devils To Watch --
Senior David Wood heads to Pullman aiming to defend his 2001 shot put title and stands in strong position to do so, owning the Pac-10's second-best mark (64-3, set indoors) going into this weekend's championships. Looking to repeat their 2000 titles captured as freshman are juniors Tiffany Greer and Jeremy Rasumussen. Greer won the 2000 women's long jump title, while Rasmussen won the 2000 men's 3000m steeplechase crown and placed second last year. The ASU men's 4x400m relay team owns the fastest time of any conference team this season (3:05.41) with hopes of defending its 2001 title. Sophomore Steve Fitch, the team's anchor, has the second-fastest individual Pac-10 400m time as well (46.33). Senior Brandon Strong ranks among the top three in three events: the 800m (third, 1:49.14), the 1500m (second, 3:41.42) and the mile (third, 3:59.59). Junior Fasil Bizuneh, 2001 Pac-10 runner-up in the 10,000m, ranks second with his personal-best time of 28:46.88. In field events, freshman Trevell Quinley is second on the Pac-10 leaderboard in the men's long jump with his indoor mark of 25-10. On the women's side, Greer also ranks third in the 100m (11.57) and fifth in the 200m (23.88). Junior Lisa Aguilera is ASU's top conference qualifier in five events, including second place rankings in the 3000m steeplechase (10:18.10) and the 5000m (15:57.37) as well as third in the 1500m (4:19.16). Rounding out top three rankings, junior Brianna Torres is just behind Aguilera on the 5000m list in third with her personal-best time of 16:13.79. The women's 4x100m relay team ranks second (44.82), while the 4x400m relay team ranks third (3:36.25).
Last Time On The Track --
Last weekend only two ASU athletes saw competition, as throwers Vince Mosca and David Wood competed at the Modesto Relays, Saturday, May 11. Wood improved his NCAA qualifying status in the shot put with an outdoor season-best mark of 61 feet, 1.5 inches to place eighth. Wood also placed 13th in the discus (161-8). Mosca finished ninth in the shot put (58-6.75) and fouled out in the discus.
Strong, Aguilera Lead ASU's List Of NCAA Qualifiers --
To date, ASU has turned in three NCAA automatic qualifying performances and 17 provisional marks. Senior Luiz Mello and sophomore Steve Fitch (12th, 3:05.41). Thrower Julia Pedersen became ASU's first true freshman to join the outdoor list of qualifiers, with her NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 166 feet, 10 inches in the women's discus at the Drake Relays. She ranks 36th nationally. A complete list of accepted NCAA participants will be released Thursday, May 23.
About The Sun Devil Coaches --
Greg Kraft is in his sixth year at the helm of the Arizona State track and field program. His tenure has produced 28 All-Americans, six All-American relay teams, 14 individual Pac-10 titles, five individual NCAA runner-up finishes and 29 first or second-team Pac-10 All-Academic selections. Kraft came to ASU in 1996 after serving as the head track and field coach at the University of South Carolina from 1989 to 1996. Kraft is assisted by distance coach Walt Drenth (sixth year), sprints and hurdles coach Darryl Anderson (sixth year), throws coach David Dumble (first year) and graduate assistant Louie Quintana (first year).
Up Next --
For those athletes that qualify to compete, the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be hosted by Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, May 29, through Saturday, June 1. A final list of NCAA participants will be posted on the NCAA web site (www.ncaachampionships.org) by 9 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 23.
2002 Athlete Notables - Women
Junior Lisa Aguilera --
Automatic qualifier in the 5000m (15:57.37), provisional qualifier in the 1500m (4:19.16) and 3000m steeplechase (10:18.10)...owns ASU's top 800m, 1500m, 3K steeplechase and 5000m times this season...her 1500m and 5000m performances rank second all-time in ASU history...placed third in last year's Pac-10 steeplechase race...won the 1500m at the Baldy Castillo Invitational (4:30.83) ...runner-up finishes at the ASU Invite (800m, 2:10.77), Sun Angel Classic (1500m, 4:19.16) and UA/NAU Double Dual (3K SC, 10:18.10)...2002 NCAA Indoor runner-up in the 3000m...three-time All-American in track...first ASU woman to earn two All-America honors in cross country...school record-holder in the indoor mile (4:44.44) and 3000m (9:16.23)...2000 West Region and Pac-10 Women's XC Athlete of the Year...first-team Academic All-American in cross country and third-team selection in track (2000-01).
Freshman Porchea Carroll --
This season, owns ASU's second-fastest 100m time (11.95) and third fastest 200m time (24.50)...lead-off runner on 4x100m relay team that has clocked an NCAA provisional qualifying time (44.82)...earned runner-up finishes in the 100m at the Bill Sawyer Invite (11.98w) and in her heat at the Mt. Sac Relays (11.95).
Senior Candida Coulson --
Provisional qualifier in the 400m hurdles (58.76)...won 400m hurdles titles at the Baldy Castillo Invitational (58.80) and UA/NAU Double Dual (58.94)...placed second in her heat at the Mt. Sac Relays (58.76)...also ASU's second-fastest 400m runner, winning the ASU Invite (54.20) and her heat of the Mt. Sac Relays (54.35)...member of ASU's 4x400m relay team (provisionally qualified, 3:36.25)...earned All-America honors as member of 1999 4x400m relay team...ranks fourth on ASU's 400m hurdle list (58.31).
Freshman Mandi Fitz-Gustafson --
Clocked ASU's second-fastest 3000m steeplechase time behind Aguilera (10:59.85) this season...has also competed in the 1500m with season-best time of 4:37.86...finished second in the day session of the 1500m at the Oregon Invite (4:40.18)...ASU's second-fastest 800m runner indoors this season (2:19.09).
Junior Tiffany Greer --
2000 Pac-10 Champion in the long jump...five-time All-American in the long jump...NCAA provisional qualifier (20-7.75)...won event titles at the Baldy Castillo Invitational (20-2.25), ASU Invite (20-7.75) and UA/NAU Double Dual (20-3.75)...also owns ASU's top 100m (11.57) and 200m (23.88) times this season...won her 100m heat at Mt. Sac Relays (11.81)...member of 4x100m relay team (provisionally qualified, 44.82)...set ASU school record in the indoor long jump as a freshman 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).
Sophomore Seneca Holmes --
ASU's top 100m hurdler with season-best time of 13.77 (wind-aided)...last year as a freshman, placed fifth in the 100m hurdles (13.90) and sixth in the 400m hurdles (1:00.23) at the Pac-10 Championships...season-best 400m hurdles time is 1:00.82...won 100m hurdles title at Bill Sawyer Invite (13.77)...also won 400m hurdles titles at the Bill Sawyer Invite (1:02.42) and the ASU Invite (1:00.82).
Sophomore Sandra Orsund --
Provisional qualifier in the discus (164-0)...established personal bests this season in the discus (164-0), hammer (171-3) and shot put (47-9.75)...notched four runner-up finishes in the discus and won the meet title at the UA/NAU Double Dual (159-4).
Freshman Julia Pedersen --
Provisional qualifier in the discus (166-10)...as a true freshman, owns this year's top marks in the discus and javelin (117-5)...also competes in the shot put (46-10.75)...at UA/NAU Double Dual, tallied runner-up finishes in the discus (151-11), shot put (46-10.75) and javelin (117-5)...placed second in the discus at the Drake Relays (166-10), a mark which ranks fifth all-time in ASU history.
Freshman Cassandra Reed --
One of ASU's top three runners in the 100m (12.00w), 200m (24.38), and 400m (54.92), and is a member of ASU's 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams that have earned NCAA provisional qualifying times...earned runner-up finishes in the 200m at the ASU Invite (24.38) and in the 400m at the UA/NAU Double Dual (54.92).
Junior Joni Smith --
2001 Pac-10 runner-up in the 400m...ASU's top 400m runner this season (53.93)...won the 400m at the UA/NAU Double Dual (53.93)...runner-up finishes at the Willie Williams Classic (54.95) and ASU Invite (54.42)...season-best 200m time 24.63...anchors ASU's 4x400m relay team that holds season best time of 3:36.25 (NCAA provisional).
Junior Brianna Torres --
Provisional qualifier in the 5000m (16:13.79)...won the 1500m at the Baldy Castillo Invitational (4:32.81)...clocked 5K personal-best at the Mt. Sac Relays (16:13.79), fourth-fastest in ASU history...placed sixth in the 5K at the Stanford Invitational (16:22.31)...runner-up in the 1500m at the UA/NAU Double Dual with personal best 4:25.3...three-time competitor at NCAA XC Championships...placed 12th in the 5000m at 2001 NCAA Indoor Championships.
2002 Athlete Notables - Men
Freshman Seth Amoo --
ASU's top 200m runner during 2002 outdoor season with season-best time of 21.00...also owns team's second-fastest 400m time (46.93) and third fastest 100m time (10.80) this season...member of both 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams that have clocked NCAA provisional qualifying times...won 200m title at the Bill Sawyer Invite (21.00)...also placed second in the 400m at the UA/NAU Double Dual (46.93).
Junior Fasil Bizuneh --
Automatic qualifier in the 10,000m (28:46.88) and provisional qualifier in the 5000m (13:51.88)...broke his own school record at the Stanford Invitational, placing fifth with personal best time of 28:46.88...also set personal-bests in the 5000m at Mt. Sac Relays (13:51.88, second-fastest in ASU history) and in the 1500m at the Sun Angel Classic (3:50.24)...first ASU male to twice earn All-America honors in cross country...2001 NCAA All-American in the 10,000m...2001 Pac-10 runner-up in the 10,000m...ASU school record-holder in the indoor 5000m (14:03.06).
Junior Casey Clark --
ASU's top high jumper this season...outdoor season best is 6-10.75, indoor season-best is 6-11...tied for fourth at last year's Pac-10 Championships...this year won outdoor high jump titles at the ASU Invite (6-8.75) and the UA/NAU Double Dual (6-10.75).
Sophomore Steve Fitch --
ASU's top 400m runner this season with personal-best time of 46.33...also anchor of 4x400m relay team with NCAA provisional qualifying time of 3:05.41...won meet titles at the Willie Williams Classic (47.39), his heat of the Mt. Sac Relays (47.07) and the UA/NAU Double Dual (46.60).
Senior Tony Galaviz --
Provisional qualifier in the 110m hurdles (13.75)...won the 110m hurdles at the UA/NAU Double Dual with personal-best 13.75, fifth fastest time in ASU history...won his prelim heat (14.37), before placing third in the finals (14.40) at the Drake Relays...set ASU 60m hurdle record during indoor season (7.71)...placed third in the 110m hurdles at last year's Pac-10 meet (13.94)...competed in 2002 NCAA Indoor Championships but did not advance past prelim.
Senior Pete Lopez --
Ran as third leg of 2001 Pac-10 champion 4x400m relay team...earned All-America honors as member of 4x400m relay team that placed fourth at 2001 NCAA Outdoor Championships...placed fourth in the 200m at last year's Pac-10 Championships...this year won 200m titles at the Baldy Castillo Invitational (21.54) and the Oregon Invite (21.39)...season-best 200m set with third place finish at UA/NAU Double Dual (21.24).
Junior Luiz Mello --
This outdoor season, owns ASU's top 100m time (10.43) and second-fastest 200m time (21.03)...member of ASU's 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams that have both posted NCAA provisional qualifying times...notched three second-place finishes in the 100m, including season-best time of 10.43 at UA/NAU Double Dual...also placed second in the 200m at the UA/NAU Double Dual with season-best 21.03.
Junior Vince Mosca --
Provisional qualifier in both the shot put (59-9) and the discus (182-10) with personal-best performances this season...won shot put titles at the Baldy Castillo Invitational (59-0.75) and the ASU Invite (54-0)...personal-best discus throw came at the Mt. Sac Relays (third place), while best shot put mark came at the UA/NAU Double Dual (second place).
Freshman Trevell Quinley --
ASU's top long jumper this season...season-best outdoor leap is 24-7.75...personal-best and indoor season-best mark is 25-10...placed 14th at the 2002 NCAA Indoor Championships (23-11.5)...notched a pair of runner-up finishes outdoors at the Baldy Castillo Invitational (24-7.75) and at the UA/NAU Double Dual (23-2)...has also competed in the 100m (10.86w), 200m (22.03), high jump (6-4.75) and triple jump (43-11.75).
Junior Jeremy Rasmussen --
2000 Pac-10 Champion in the 3000m steeplechase, 2001 Pac-10 runner-up in same event...ASU's top steepler this season...won the 3000m steeplechase with season-best time of 8:59.80 at the UA/NAU Double Dual...has also competed in the 1500m (personal-best 3:52.66) and the 3000m (8:32.61).
Freshman Juan Reyes --
Provisional qualifier in the 5000m (13:54.92)...personal-best performance came at the Mt. Sac Relays where he finished 22nd in 13:54.92, the fifth-fastest time in ASU history...has also competed in the 1500m (3:51.41) and the 3000m (8:14.71)...won the 1500m at the Bill Sawyer Invitational (4:03.2h)...one of team's top cross country runners.
Senior Brandon Strong --
Automatic qualifier in the 1500m (3:41.42)...won the 1500m at the Pomona-Pitzer Invite with a meet and track record of 3:41.42, the second-fastest time in ASU history...has yet to finish lower than second in an outdoor race this season...won the 1500m at the UA/NAU Double Dual (3:47.06)...has also competed in the 800m, winning the meet title at the Oregon Invite (1:49.44) and placing second at the ASU Invite with personal-best 1:49.14...became just the second Sun Devil to run a sub four-minute mile, placing third at the Husky Last Chance Qualifier with an indoor school record time of 3:59.59...only former ASU distance standout Chuck LaBenz owns faster outdoor 1500m time (3:40.7)...at the 2002 NCAA Indoor Championships, placed 14th in his preliminary heat of the mile (4:08.27)...earned All-America honors as member of 2000 indoor distance medley relay team.
Senior David Wood --
Defending Pac-10 Champion in the shot put...provisional qualifier in the shot put (61-1.5)...earned All-America honors with fourth place finish in the shot put and personal-best mark of 64-3 at the 2002 NCAA Indoor Championships...this year has also competed in the discus (172-7) and the hammer (167-4).