Feb. 11, 2012
USA Track and Field Classic Results
Millrose Games Results
TUCSON - The University of Arizona Wildcat track and field program was well represented by the professional track and field athletes associated with the program. Volunteer assistant Jill Camarena-Williams set a U.S. record in the shot put and fellow volunteer assistant Bernard Lagat set a U.S. record in the 5,000 meters.
At the USA Track and Field Classic in Fayetteville, Ark., Camarena-Williams set the U.S. record in the shot put, throwing 65-3.25 (19.89m). Her mark is a personal best, a meet record and a Randal Tyson Track Center facility record. Camarena-Williams beat her own U.S. record of 65-2.25 (19.87m), set in Albuquerque, N.M. on Feb. 27, 2011.
"I'm not surprised she broke the record, she's been training really well," assistant coach Craig Carter said. "The ultimate goal, obviously, is to medal at the Olympics, and right now, we're training for that. I'm excited that she broke the record by a little bit but I think that in a couple weeks you'll see some really big marks at the USA Indoor Championships."
At the Millrose Games in New York, volunteer assistant coach Bernard Lagat set the U.S. record in the 5,000-meter race and sophomore Lawi Lalang set the collegiate and school record. Lagat had a winning time of 13:07.15, replacing the previous U.S. record held by Galen Rupp (13:11.44), set in Birmingham, England on Feb. 19, 2011. Lalang came in second, clocking a time of 13:08.28, beating Galen Rupp's NCAA record of 13:18.12 set at the Tyson Invitational on Feb. 13, 2009. Senior Stephen Sambu came in third and holds the No. 2 collegiate time ever, clocking a 13:13.74. Lalang and Sambu both automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships in the event, as they currently rank No. 1 and No.2, respectively, in the NCAA.
"It was a great day for Arizona, that's for sure," associate head coach James Li said. "We planned a pace and it was a pace that they could all run together. We were very happy to stick with the plan we mapped out, and they executed to a tee, it was amazing. From their training and the way they have trained together the last few weeks, I knew all three were capable of running something like this. It was really no surprise to me what all what these guys can do."
At the Boise State Team Challenge, former NCAA Champion Liz Patterson came in second place in the high jump, clearing 5-11.5 (1.82m). Former All-American LaTisha Holden ran the 60-meter hurdles at the Millrose Games, coming in fifth place and clocking a time of 8.26. At the Husky Classic, Christina Rodgers, a former UA All-American, ran in the 800-meter invite. Rodgers clocked a time of 2:05.72 and finished in seventh place.
