The Falcons Online -- Seattle Pacific University Athletics

Southern California, Here They Come
Pixler & Larson Qualify in 3000; 18 Falcons to Compete at USC
March 20, 2007

Fractions

Cronrath’s metric mile was the best by an SPU since All-American Nathanael Castle’s 3:50.23 in 2002...Nyema Sims (Fr., Portland, Or./Jefferson) ran a 400 PR of 57.98, finishing second...The 4:50.24 by Jennifer Marsh (Sr., Kirkland, Wa./Juanita) was her best since 2004... After missing most of last season with injuries, Kristin Janney (Sr., White Salmon, Wa.) threw for a PR of 121-10 in the javelin. The first heptathlon will likely be in Bellingham Apr. 6-7. Kelsey Cooley (Jr., Missoula, Mt./Hellgate) and Bekins are among those due to return to southern California Apr. 11-12 for a heptathlon at the Mount SAC Relays...Karin Rohde (Jr., Bellingham, Wa./Mount Baker), who was third in a 2k steeplechase last week, runs a straight 3000 at USC. Pixler, Larson, Marsh and Victoria Perkins (Sr., Kent, Wa./Kentwood) run the 800, with Pixler (1500) and Larson (300) doubling. Sims, Anna Walters (Fr., Spokane, Wa./North Central), Jessica Hinton (Fr., Lake Stevens, Wa.) and Latasha Essien (Fr., Portland, Or./Reynolds) will form the 1600 relay. Cronrath will double, joining indoor All-American Eddie Strickler (Sr., Richland, Wa.) in the 800...Getting his first competition since last summer will be assistant coach Chris Randolph (pole vault, shot, javelin). Randolph won NCAA decathlon crowns in 2005 and ‘06.

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Beach boys & girls. It’s what spring break is all about: seeking sunshine and waves in warmer climes. That–and some intense workouts–is what awaits 18 members of the Seattle Pacific University track and field teams this week in southern California. The Falcons will break camp and compete Saturday (Mar. 24) at the Trojan Invitational before returning home for spring quarter classes. They will then be idle until the Vernacchia Team Classic April 7 in Bellingham.

Talk about the weather. With fewer meets this season and favorable weather forecast for L.A. this weekend, SPU athletes should take advantage of this week’s opportunity to post national qualifying marks. Temperatures are expected to hover near 70 on the USC campus. Last week, in relatively balmy conditions for Seattle, the Falcons got their first qualifying marks on the track. Earlier, they had gotten two qualifiers in the throws.

She keeps on runnin’. Less than a week after winning her first national title, Jessica Pixler (Fr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) took some strides toward taking her second. In her outdoor debut, Pixler broke the Great Northwest Athletic Conference record by more than 15 seconds and automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships. She easily won the Washington Preview in 9 minutes, 37.41 seconds–the best 3k by an SPU runner in 15 years.

Another week, another award. Pixler not only repeated as the GNAC co-athlete of the week, she also collected a bigger trophy. Pixler was a unanimous choice as the GNAC indoor athlete of the year. She won the NCAA indoor mile and won league titles in the mile and 800 meters, setting meet records in both. Pixler finished the winter season as the SPU and conference record-holder in the 800 and mile, and had won the GNAC cross country crown in the fall. It was the second year in a row that a Falcon won the indoor prize. High-jumper Teona Perkins (Sr., Kennewick, Wa.) was the 2006 recipient. To date, three SPU athletes have been voted player of the year in the GNAC: Jenna Von Moos (volleyball), Pixler and Dustin Bremerman (basketball). Karl Lerum was voted the GNAC women's coach of the year. Seattle Pacific won the won the conference crown for the fourth year in a row and finished seventh in the NCAA.

Four in three. It’s still early, but last year’s recruiting class looks to be a bumper crop. Three of the four women who have hit automatic or provisional national qualifying standards are newcomers. Also making the NCAA provisional standard in the 3000 last week was Jane Larson (Fr., Fall City, Wa./Cedar Park Christian). Timed in 10:07.87, Larson placed sixth at the UW Preview. Suzie Strickler (So., Richland, Wa.) just missed the qualifying cutoff of 10:18, taking 13th in 10:18.13. Transfer Brittany Bekins (So., Everett, Wa./Cascade) and Molly Barnes (Sr., Burien, Wa./Highline) had qualified earlier in the javelin.

Preview review. The Falcons also got a win from Perkins in the 800 (2:17.61) and the 1600 relay (4:00.03). For the SPU men, Ben Climer (Fr., Woodburn, Or./McNary) ran first in the 400 hurdles (57.07) and the 1600 relay won in 3:31.27. The top mark came from Brian Cronrath (Jr., Battle Ground, Wa.) in the 1500. Cronrath ran a personal record of 3:56.15–only 0.15 off the provisional standard.

Missing links. For the latest and best information on Seattle Pacific University athletics, stay where you're at -- on The Falcons Online. For updated standings and statistics, see the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web site.