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D2 Review (2/11/2019) (Men + Women)
- elliottjportillo
- Feb 11, 2019
- 10 min read
Men: Elliott Portillo
Women: Quenten Lasseter
MEN
GVSU Big Meet
In this case, the term “Big Meet” is a bit of an understatement. This meet was the undisputed highlight reel of the weekend, as an astounding 35 NCAA qualifying marks were set in the distance events.
800
The 800 ended up as the deepest event of the weekend. 12 men dipped under the provisional standard. Of those 12, half came from the host school as Grand Valley State flexed its middle-distance muscles. They have what appears to be, at first glance, the most loaded 800 crew in all of Division II. What is also astonishing is that the five fastest times so far this season all came from the same heat. Seb Anthony of Queens, Juman Randall of Western Colorado, Devundrick Walker of CSU-Pueblo, Dennis Mbuta of Grand Valley State and Thomas Staines of CSU-Pueblo all ran sub 1:50.5 in what could be a precursor to an exciting National Championship final.
Of those five, two (Mbuta and Staines) ran sub-1:50 and hit NCAA auto times. Mbuta’s mark of 1:49.24 was good enough for an impressive 2nd place, but was still nearly three seconds behind Staine’s time of 1:46.27. Staines maintains his position at the top of the NCAA leaderboard and looks like a sure-fire pick to win the event in March. At this point in time, the race for 2nd place looks wide open.
Outside of the first heat, there were many other noteworthy performances. Nick Salomon (1:51.13), Jonathon Groendyk (1:51.36), and David Jones (1:51.4), all Grand Valley State, ran times good enough to place within the top 10 in the nation. Lewis’s John Partee (1:51.75), Lubbock Christian’s Jaylen Tryon (1:51.8), and Grand Valley’s Tyler Walters and Patrick Scoggins (1:52.99, 1:53.07) all ran provisional qualifying marks as well.
Mile
The Queens (N.C.) duo of Felix Wammetsberger and Daniel Wallis finished 2nd and 4th in the mile with times of 4:06.06 and 4:06.64, respectively. These marks vaulted the Royals pair to spots #4 and #5 on the NCAA leaderboard. Woodrow Murray-Wood of Western Colorado and Justin Crosswhite of Western Oregon also ran qualifying marks. They finished in 4:09.42 and 4:10.47, respectively.
3000
Zach Panning ran only the third auto qualifying time for this event so far this year. His 8:01.12 was good enough to edge out Michigan State’s Morgan Beadlescomb for the victory. Behind him, four other men ran 8:20 or faster. Victor Moreau of Academy of Art (8:11.88, NCAA #9), Joseph Humes of Hillsdale (8:14.26), Freddie Hessian of Academy of Art (8:14.88) and Tanner Chada of Grand Valley (8:20.05) finished 5th, 6th, 7th, and 12th overall.
5000
Like a volcano that’s been lying dormant since some fast times in December, the Men’s 5k finally exploded with this weekend as 16 new qualifying marks were hit in the already stacked event. Of those 16, eight came from the Big Meet. Jacob Klemz of Washburn led all D2 runners with his time of 14:12.49, good enough for the #10 on the NCAA leaderboard.
Behind Klemz, Carson-Newman’s Luke Greer and Charleston’s Jack Mastandrea both ran times good enough to crack the top 20 nationally. Their times of 14:16.82 and 14:17.2 rank #17 and #18, respectively. George McCartney of Malone and Stetson Rayas of Dallas Baptist both ran sub 14:30 with times of 14:23.2 and 14:27.9. Concord’s Jason Weitzel (14:33.3), Grand Valley’s Ben Zaremba (14:36.94), and Northwood’s Dylan Rocha (14:39.49) closed out those who earned provisional times.
So far this season, 35 men have gone 14:30 or under in the 5k while almost 50 have achieved a provisional qualification. It will be interesting to see what people choose to focus on at Nationals and how far down the list qualifiers are pulled based on scratches.
DMR
The host Lakers’ success didn’t end at the conclusion of the Friday meet. On Saturday, Grand Valley demonstrated just how far their team depth goes as they ran two qualifying times in the DMR. Grand Valley’s A-squad beat Marquette by two seconds to run an NCAA D2 #3 time of 9:47.55. Behind them, Queens ran 9:52.17, Grand Valley’s B-squad ran 9:53.05 and Northwood (Mich.) ran 9:53.12 to all earn NCAA top-10 times. Western Oregon (9:54.85, NCAA #12) and Walsh (9:55.57, NCAA #13) rounded out the top finishers.
2019 Husky Classic
Despite inclement weather affecting travel plans for some teams, the 2019 Husky Classic saw some of the fastest times yet at the Dempsey. If the Big Meet showcased the Mid-Distance talent of Division II, then Husky goes the other route with nine new marks run over the 3k and 5k distances.
3000
Four men ran marks fast enough to land in the top 15 nationally. Josh Hoskinson of Colorado Mines led the charge with an NCAA #5 time of 8:08. Adams State’s Kale Adams (8:10.34, NCAA #7), Colorado Mines’ Luke Julian (8:13.14, NCAA #11) and Simon Fraser’s Pierre-Louis Detourbe (8:14.88, NCAA #15) all improved their chances for national’s bids in March.
5000
Five RMAC runners dropped down from altitude to join a stacked 5k lineup in Seattle. Taylor Stack of Western Colorado ran 14:06.65 while Dalton Graham of Adams State ran 14:09.25. Both times are ranked #4 and #7 in the nation as of this week. Charlie Sweeney of Western Colorado and Dane Blomquist of Adams also dipped into the top 20 nationally with times of 14:13.02 and 14:16.7. Adams’ Joshua Joseph also ran a provisional time with his 14:31.93 (NCAA #36).
BU Valentines Invitational
800
Nick Fenton of American International was the first Division II athlete behind a slew of various Division I and professional athletes. His time of 1:52.42 is ranked #22 in the nation. Behind him, Stephen Vercollone of Stonehill ran close with a time of 1:52.81. This puts him at #28 on the national leaderboard.
DMR
In the DMR, the Yellow Jackets of American International won the DMR by nearly 14 seconds with a time of 9:52.93, which currently ranks #6 in D2.
2019 Bearcat Invite
800
Benjamin Allen of Concordia-St. Paul ran 1:52.55 to finish runner-up behind Luke Skinner of St. Mary’s (Kan.) Behind him, Central Missouri’s Noah Larsen (1:53.11) and Emporia’s Muray Baheyadeen (1:53.17) finished #4 and #5.
5000
Nebraska-Kearney’s Corbin Hansen finished 2nd with a time of 14:39.64, good enough for #47 on the NCAA leaderboard.
Indoor Gorilla Classic
800
TAMU-Kingsville’s Ayman Zahafi finished 2nd with a time of 1:51.67. Joining him with new bests on the qualifying list were Colin Webber of Pittsburg State (1:51.77, NCAA #15) and Ero Doce of Lindenwood (1:52.77).
3000
Gidieon Kimutai of Missouri Southern finished three seconds behind Nathan Wickoren of Wichita State to finish 3rd overall in the 3k. His time of 8:21.47 currently ranks #26 in the country.
DMR
Lindenwood edged out Wichita State to finish 1st overall in the DMR with a time of 9:58.2 (NCAA #15). Missouri Southern finished 4th with a time of 10:04.38, good enough to make it onto the qualifying list.
SDSU Indoor Classic
800
Josh Barrow ran 1:52.14 to secure runner-up in the 800 behind U of Manitoba’s Simon Berube.
Mile
The men’s Mile saw three individuals go sub 4:10. Zach Lundberg of Sioux Falls, Austin Pasch of Minnesota State, and Jonah Theisen of Black Hills State ran 4:07.76 (NCAA #11), 4:09.02, and 4:09.9 this past weekend.
3000
Following his impressive showing in the mile, Black Hill State’s Jonah Theisen doubled back with an 8:19.33 3k, good for 2nd place on the day. His mark sets him at #19 on the NCAA qualifying list.
5000
Derek Myers of U-Mary continues running well. The Senior beat Sioux Falls’ Steven Brown by nearly 12 seconds to win the 5k in a time of 14:26.64. However, this time just barely misses the top 30. Myers will need another fast 5k and maybe a couple lucky scratches if he is to make it to the National Championships in March.
Adams State NCAA Qualifier
Mile
The only major meet this weekend where altitude/track conversions apply saw two more Grizzlies hit qualifying times, as Adams State’s James Freeman and Ro Paschel ran converted mile times of 4:08.52 and 4:10.78 to land on the qualifying list.
3000
Isaiah Rodarte of Adams hit a top 15 time with his converted mark of 8:13.98 (NCAA #13).
St. Thomas Showcase
5000
Minnesota-Duluth’s Luke Lahr won the 5k by eight seconds to run a 14:30.44 after track-size conversions. This is the #35 time for 5000 meters this year.
Colorado Running Company Mountain Lion Open
DMR
After altitude conversion, MSU Denver ran the #24 DMR time in the nation this year with a 10:03.51. They edged out 2nd place Rocky Mountain by three seconds.
WOMEN
GVSU Big Meet
800
The 800 at the GVSU Big meet was filled with fast times. The race had nine women run provisional times and also had four women in the top five on the national list. Allie Ludge of Grand Valley St. led the charge with a time of 2:08.91, putting her at #5 in the nation. The #6 and #7 times in the nation came from Carsyn Koch-Johnson of Cedarville and Olivia Woods of Western Oregon. Those two women respectfully ran 2:08.93 and 2:09.35. Western Colorado’s Bailey Sharon ran the #9 time in the country in 2:09.60.
Aside from Skylyn Webb and Kristen Metcalfe, the 800 is relatively wide-open this year when it comes to All-American spots. Don't be surprised if a few of these women throw their names into that conversation come March.
Andra Lehotay from Western Colorado University ran a time of 2:10.61, putting her at #11 in the nation. The #16, #17, #20, and #21 fastest 800 times were also run in this loaded event. At #16 in the nation, Abbie Porter from Hillsdale ran a time of 2:11.23.
Bianca Bryant from San Francisco St. ran 2:11.62, putting her at #17 on the list. Shayla Huebner of Northern Michigan and Yajaira Salinas of Stanislaus State ran times of 2:11.93 and 2:12.50, respectively, putting the two women on the national list at #20 and #21.
Mile
The mile also had fast times with Stefanie Parsons of Edinboro breaking the 4:50 barrier. Parsons ran a time of 4:48.51, giving her the #4 fastest time in the nation. Following Parsons was Elysia Burgos from Southwest Baptist running a time of 4:50.74, putting her at #7 in the nation. Right behind Burgos was Allysen Eads running the #8 time on the national list with a 4:52.10 mile.
Abbey Crouch from Grand Valley St. ran a time of 4:54.39 ranking her at #11 in the nation.
It's hard to dislike what we've seen from Parsons so far this season. In just the month of February, Parsons has run times of 2:11, 4:48, and 9:53. Not only does she have range, but she's peaking at the right time.
3000
Hannah Thompson from Malone broke into the top 10 on the national list running 9:40.06, putting her at #9. Right behind Thompson were teammates from Grand Valley St. Hanna Groeber, Jessica Gockley, and Stacey Metzger. The three Lakers ran times of 9:42.11, 9:41.40, and 9:45.02. Those times put the three teammates at #11, #13, and #17 in the nation.
Hasna Kaarour from the Academy of Art broke the 9:50 barrier running a time of 9:48.45, which put her at #20 in the nation. Stefanie Parsons returned from her fast mile performance and ran the #25 fastest time in the nation at 9:53.06.
5000
The 5000 was paced by Grand Valley St. teammates Gina Patterson and Madison Goen. Two Lakers ran times of 16:42.50 and 16:53.46. Patterson’s time put her at #9 in the nation and Goen’s time put her at #15 in the nation. Allison Dorr from Saginaw Valley ran 16:53.60, just .14 seconds behind Goen which puts her #16 on the national list.
The #18, #20, #22, and #23 fastest times in the country were run by Lauren Bailey of Indianapolis at 16:55.44, Malea Teerman of Grand Valley St. at 17:07:05, Clarissa Morales of Stanislaus State at 17:10.78, and Kelsey Chambers of Wheeling Jesuit at 17:14.81.
2019 Husky Classic
800
In a loaded field stacked with DI schools and professional runners, Stephanie Cotter from Adams State held up well and ran a time of 2:09.49. Cotter’s time placed her at #8 on the national list.
3000
Roisin Flanagan from Adams State ran the#2 time in the nation with a 9:18.24 3000. Flanagan’s teammate Tiffany Christensen ran a time of 9:33.39 placing her on the national list at #7. Watch out for these two Adams State teammates when it comes down to championship season.
5000
Just like her sister in the 3000, Eilish Flanagan of Adams State threw down the NCAA’s second fastest time with a 16:19.45. With Flanagan’s fast pacing, she led teammate Malena Grover, Western Colorado's Kennedy Rufener, teammate Kaylee Bogina, and Central Washington's Alexa Shindruk with times of 16:38.88, 16:39.26, 16:40.74, and 16:48.43, respectively. Those four times were the #6, # 7, #8, and #14 fastest performances in the NCAA this year.
Adams State continues to impress with such incredible depth. If they somehow find a way to qualify enough women in the distance events, they could end up scoring a handful of points at Nationals.
SDSU Indoor Classic
800
Monique McPherson from U-Mary ran a time of 2:11.12, putting at #15 on the national list. Carly Rahn (Augustana (S.D.)), ran a time of 2:12.83 putting her at #22. Haleigh Reindl and Bobbi Patrick from the two Minnesota schools of Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota State, ran times of 2:13.66 and 2:13.75, respectively.
Mile
Bree Erickson from U-Mary and Taryn Ceglowski from Sioux Falls broke into the nation’s top 20 times in the mile. Erickson and Ceglowski respectfully ran 4:56.92 and 4:57.74.
3000
U-Mary runner Jaiden Schuette ran the NCAA’s #22 time with a 9:50.45.
5000
The #5 fastest time in the NCAA was run by Emily Roberts from U-Mary. Roberts time was 16:37.74. Also, in the 5000 race was teammate Ida Narbuvoll running a time of 16:54.38, giving her the nations #17 fastest time.
Roberts is a great sleeper pick to keep an eye on in March. Caroline Kurgat may steal the spotlight, but Roberts is a veteran who is starting to run well at the right time. She could very easily find her way on to the podium.
Winter Relays 2019
Mile
Leah Hanle from Mount Olive broke into the NCAA’s top 10 list for the mile running an impressive 4:52.81 (NCAA #9). Her consistency is turning into momentum which can be dangerous for her competition in March. I think she's a great pick to become All-American.
2019 Bearcat Invite
800
Allison Johnson of Winona State got her name on the national list with a time of 2:13.94, putting Johnson at #28, respectfully.
Mile
Johnson’s teammate from Winona State, Anna Rogahn broke the 5-minute barrier with a performance of 4:58.73 (NCAA #24).
5000
Cynthia Togom from Central Missouri got the win in the 5000 with a time of 17:21.72. This performance by Togom places her at #24 in the nation.
Colorado running Company Mountain Lion Open
Mile
From MSU Denver, Erica Ruiz ran a time of 5:09.15, which then converted to a sub-5 performance of 4:56.47, putting her on the national list at #14.
Adams State University NCAA Qualifier
Mile
HaLeigh Hunter-Galvan from Adams State got the home win with a time of 5:13.23, converting to 4:57.08. The performance from Hunter-Galvan placed her at #16 in the nation.
3000
Kianna Darioosh-Bonnet of Adams State had a strong outing running a converted time of 9:50.82, putting her at #23 in the NCAA. Adams State teammate Piper Meuwissen ran a converted time of 9:57.38, breaking the 10-minute barrier and putting her at #31 in the NCAA.
4th Annual Indoor Gorilla Classic
5000
Claire McCune from Drury broke into the top 25 spots in the nation with a #24 outing in a time of 17:15.19.
