EUGENE, ORE. ? Former Kansas University distance runner Andy Tate placed 13th of 14 runners in the 3,000 steeplechase finals on Sunday at the USA Track and Field championships.
Tate, a 2001 KU graduate from Lake Elmo, Minn., finished in 8:44.
“Andy was caught in a situation where there simply were other people out there who had a better day,” KU coach Stanley Redwine said. “Andy qualified for the finals which is a great accomplishment. For Andy it’s all good.”
On Saturday, KU throws coach Doug Reynolds placed sixth in the discus in 202-2. The third-place finisher threw 206-7. Top three finishers advance to the world championships in August in Edmonton, Canada.
“Doug was disappointed because he came in wanting to make the U.S. team. By not placing in the top three, he did not accomplish that,” Redwine said. “When you set a goal like that, it’s disappointing to come up a little bit short.”
On Saturday, KU senior-to-be Charlie Gruber placed 11th in the 1,500 in 3:46.4. High schooler Alan Webb, who will attend the University of Michigan next year, was fifth in 3:38.5.
Webb recently broke Jim Ryun’s record for the fastest mile in high school history.
“I think he’s really good for the sport,” Redwine said of Webb. “It keeps hope alive for USA Track and Field. Can you imagine being in high school with the whole country watching your race live on ESPN? He said he learned a lot and will be somebody to watch in the future.”
Two world class athletes who train in Lawrence have advanced to the world championships.
Calvin Davis, who attended Arkansas, qualified for worlds by placing second in the 400 hurdles. Sheila Hutson, who attended Cal Poly, was third in the triple jump.
“It’s very exciting. Those two are an example for the Grubers and Tates and others coming up,” Redwine said. “They see what it takes. They are exceptional athletes.
“Calvin had been behind a while. He made the 1996 Olympic team and no (U.S.) teams since. Sheila is the American record holder and has been up there a while and maintained it.”
In Edmonton, Canada, KU senior-to-be Andrea Bulat placed second to rival Dominique Bolideau in the javelin finals at the Canadian championships.
Bulat’s exact distance was not available it was in the 49-meter range. It is believed she will not advance to the world championships because Canada requires a certain qualifying mark, not just a top three finish.
Bulat, a native of Windsor, Ontario defeated Quebec native Bilodeau at the 2001 Kansas Relays.
KU senior Scott Russell’s winning throw in the men’s javelin Friday was 262-111/2. His throw marked a Canadian and KU record and came on his fourth attempt, after an earlier scratch.
“You almost feel nothing, it just feels like you hit it,” Russell said of his winning toss. “Bad throws, you feel everything in your body jar. On the big ones, it’s just smooth.'”
