CKSR (NCAA III Track and Field Championships Day One Report)

CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR MAY 25, 2017

NCAA III TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY ONE REPORT

MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD

GENEVA, Oh. - Calvin College junior Andrew Philipose came up with an All-American performance for the Calvin men's track and field team in the 10,000 meters Thursday morning at the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Spire Institute.

Philipose clocked in with a time of 30:16.66 which was good for seventh place. The run by Philipose (Mount Prospect, Il./John Hersey HS) marks the 20th All-American performance in the 10,000 meter run in Calvin men's track and field history.
Philipose's run for All-America honors began in unusual fashion. "There were three false starts to the race," said Calvin distance coach Brian Diemer. "No one was disqualified. It was raining and damp so it appeared to me that it was an issue with the timing system and the weather."

Seeded 10th heading into the race, Philipose used the series of false starts to his advantage. "I could tell who was planning to go out fast and who was planning to hold back," said Philipose. "That helped me determine what runners I needed to keep an eye on. My plan was to stay back in the pack and then make a move when I needed to. The false starts gave me some information before the race actually began."

True to his race plan, Philipose held back while maintaining an steady pace. At the 5,000 meter mark, he moved into the top eight and with 2,000 meters remaining, he bolted forward along with Alex Wilson of Mount Union and David O'gara of Washington University of St. Louis, battling for spots 5-6-and-7.

Philipose stayed on the heels of Wilson and O'gara but could not run down the duo in the final 100 meters as Wilson finished fifth (30:12.89) and O'gara sixth (30:15.79).

Nevertheless, Philipose completed the race satisified. "I followed the race plan that my coaches laid out and I felt comfortable throughout," said Philipose. "I just didn't have enough speed left at the end to run the two guys down but my goal coming in was to be an All-American. It's an amazing feeling to reach that goal."

According to Diemer, Philipose executed to perfection. "The 10,000 meters is a race of great strategy and as a runner, you have to think on the fly," said Diemer. "As a coach it's difficult to watch from the stands because so many things change as the race progresses but to Andrew's credit, he made every move that he needed to make. He filled gaps when he needed to and used his energy wisely. I am extremely proud of Andrew and I know all of his teammates are too."

The most satisfying moment for Philipose was the reaction of his teammates. "The energy I received from my teammates supporting me during the race and after the race was amazing," he said. "Everyone was so excited after the race and I've received text messages, emails and other messages of support from alumni and fans. I'm very grateful for that and I'm hoping we can continue that positive energy into the cross country and track and field seasons next year."

Philipose also has one more race left this weekend as he will compete in the 5,000 meter run on Saturday.

The fight for first place in the 10,000 meters also featured an epic photo finish as Ian LaMere of Wisconsin-Platteville won the national title with a time of 29:15.12, edging conference rival Darin Lau of Wisconsin-Eau Claire who clocked in with a time of 29:15.16.

Also competing for Calvin on Thursday was freshman Caleb Ferguson in the prelims of the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Ferguson finished 18th in the prelims with a time of 9:33.46 and did not advance to Saturday's finals.

Ferguson was one of two freshmen competing in the field of 20 runners.

"First of all I am incredibly proud of Caleb this year," said Diemer. "He has really come into his own this spring and found a home in the steeplechase. To qualify for nationals as a freshman is an amazing accomplishment. One of the things that Caleb learned today was that at the national level, there is not as much room to maneuver over the water pit and the barriers because the field is more bunched up. That changed his hurdling technique and got his steps off from what he is used to but he will learn from this race and come back strong next year. He has a bright future ahead of him."

Scheduled to compete for Calvin on Friday is junior Ethan Valentine in the 400 meter dash prelims.

WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD

GENEVA, Oh. - A trio of Calvin College track and field athletes compete on Thursday at the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Seniors Michaela Meckes (Bay City, Mich./Saginaw Valley Lutheran HS) and Lauren Strohbehn (Stillwater, MN/St. Croix Preparatory HS) concluded their collegiate careers Thursday with Meckes competing in the discus while Strohbehn ran in the 10,000 meters. Meanwhile sophomore Katie Diekema (Kenmore, Wash./Inglemoor HS) made her track and field debut at the national meet.

Meckes concluded a long-standing Calvin family tradition in track and field Thursday as she finished 10th in the discus with a throw of 139-1. In competing in the discus, she became the fourth member of her immediate family to reach the national meet as older brothers Aaron Meckes (2003-2006), Josh Meckes (2006-2007) and Aaron Meckes (2012) had previously done so.

Meckes fouled on her first two attempts on Thursday and then threw 139-1 on her third toss to come up three feet short of advancing to the finals.
"I'm proud of Michaela," said Calvin throwing coach Katie Dean. "Her big goal this year was to make it to nationals and she has worked very hard to reach that goal. She has been a part of a wonderful family legacy and we are very grateful that the Calvin track and field program has been a part of it."

Strohbehn competed in the 10,000 meter run Thursday morning and placed 17th with a time of 37:16.45 after entering the race seeded 20th.

"Lauren ran well," said Calvin distance coach Brian Diemer. "She has had to battle through some things this year to get back to the national meet but she did and did so with grit and determination. She ran in a very talented field of runners. She can hold her head high as she completes her career as a collegiate runner."

Diekema competed in the 1500 meters and placed 15th in the prelims with a time of 4:36.35 after entering the race seeded 19th.

Diekema did not advance to Saturday's finals but her performance on Thursday was a strong one according to Diemer. "Katie ran a very strong race, particularly at her first national (track and field) meet," said Diemer. "There are some outstanding athletes in the 1500 meters this year. The national meet continues to get faster but Katie showed she belonged."

Scheduled to compete for Calvin on Friday is junior Jenna Dyksen in the prelims of the 100 meter hurdles.
Received on Fri May 26 00:07:28 2017