A pair of former Camas High School teammates were the top two collegiate finishers in the 10,000-meter run at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival meet Friday.
Gonzaga sophomore Emily Thomas placed third in 35 minutes, 1.46 seconds — breaking her own school record — and Weber State sophomore Kayla Blackford finished third in 35:13.37.
Michelle Meyer (35:00.71) and Alicia Freese (35:01.05), respectively, of the Impala Racing Team took the top two spots in the race.
Thomas, who set the previous record of 36:03.13 last season at the West Coast Invitational at Willamette University, was ranked No. 1 in the West Regional going into last weekend, Gonzaga coach Pat Tyson toldgozags.com.
“To run this fast at 8 a.m. on a chilly San Francisco morning is a remarkable feat,” Tyson said.
Not that it was completely unexpected.
“Fortunately, Emily’s a morning person,” Tyson told the website before the race. “Her goal is to run fast. A couple of 18 back-to-back (5K’s) brought a 36:03 school record. We want to get in the 35’s with her (Friday). If the weather is decent, that can be a goal and there is some competition in there.”
Thomas’ time would have been good enough for one of the top 48 spots and a trip to the Western Regional last year. Tyson is hopeful that mark can hold up this year. He told the website that Thomas is the Gonzaga athlete with the best chance of competing in the upcoming NCAA West Regional meet, May 24-26 in Austin, Texas.
The NCAA Division I championships are June 6-9 in Des Moines, Iowa.
CCC honors pair
Track and field junior Gabi Dixson (homeschool, Battle Ground High School) and baseball senior Rick Francisco (Mountain View) were named to the Academic All-Cascade Collegiate Conference teams.
Honorees must be at least sophomores in academic standing, and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2.
Local Cougar garners academic recognition
Washington State sophomore pole vaulter John Brenteson was named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation 2012 Indoor Track & Field All-Academic Scholar-Athlete team.
The criteria for selection includes: 3.00 or better cumulative GPA, be at least a sophomore academically, completed one full academic year at the institution prior to nomination, and must have competed in 50 percent of more of competitions.
The Mountain View High School graduate carries a 3.19 GPA.
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