June 26, 2009

USAT&F nationals: Chico State has tough day on track; Crouch out of 5k?

It ain't easy peaking for collegiate nationals (especially small college nationals) and coming back in full form for USAT&F nationals.
Michael Wickman -- Chico State's 3rd place finisher in San Angelo -- ran 3:49 for 37th of 46 finishers. He's got another year in Chico (provided he stays on) and Eugene had to be a good experience for the future.
Wickman was the only active D2er Thursday night, although ex-Adams Stater Aucencio Martinez missed the 1,500 finals by .029 seconds and two places (What a crazy first round: 12 of 48 make it through).
While certainly the home crowd anticipated a Galen Rupp win (and he delivered), many had former Chico State national champ Scott Bauhs on their short list for top 3. Unfortunately, he was a DNF. I can't figure out where he dropped off the pace, but it was down to four with 8 to go, so I'm guessing well before that. Bauhs is still listed in the 5,000, so let's hope he has better luck in the "fast final."
According to the USAT&F entry list, D2 1,500 meter champ Michael Crouch (Queens, N.C.) won't run the 5k. Maybe he ducked out because he was going to get shunted into the "slow final." The Adams State duo of Aaron Braun and Brian Medigovich will take part in that race. What do I think of the two-heat "final"? DUMB.

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