Thursday, May 9
Villanova, Pa.
12:18 PM
Creighton University
at
BIG EAST Championships
Carly Manchester
Photo by: BIG EAST Conference
Track Teams Make History in Debut at BIG EAST Championships
5/11/2024 2:25:00 PM | Men's Cross Country / Track, Women's Cross Country / Track
VILLANOVA, Pa. -- The first trip to the BIG EAST Championships was a success for Creighton Track as it broke two school records and earned points in three events in its debut.
Marcos Gonzalez made history on Friday night when he registered CU's first points ever at the league championships with a sixth-place showing in the steeplechase, finishing the 3,000 meter race in a season-best time of 9:08.98 that was just behind his school-record effort of 9:06.50.
"It's a big moment for our program and a special moment for an incredible young man and his family," said head coach Chris Gannon following Thursday's race. "This means so much on so many levels."
The Bluejays closed the Championships by garnering points in the 4x800 relay on both the men's and women's side on Saturday afternoon.
The women earned their first points when they finished eighth in a time of 9:16.88. Saige Christen, Carly Manchester, Anika Nettekoven and Alexis Huddin composed the relay that etched its name in the Bluejay history book.
The men did even better, placing fourth in a time of 7:31.74. Creighton was sixth after two laps from Brian Hiltebrand before a strong leg from Jake Ziebarth moved the Jays up two spots with a blistering 800 of 1:50.56. He passed the baton to Ryan Hendrickson, who kept CU within striking distance of the leaders. Four teams finished within two seconds in the race for third place, with Bluejay senior Michael Buckley holding off runners from Providence and UConn on the home stretch to secure fourth place.
"It was a great performance in the men's 4x800 to close out our first BIG EAST Championships," noted Gannon. "It was good to also see the women compete for points in the relay."
Claire Pyne had the distinction of becoming CU's first competitor ever at the BIG EAST Track Championships on Thursday evening, racing to a 12th-place showing in the 10,000 meters. CU's first male to compete was Ryan Montera, who completed Thursday's 10,000 meter race in a program-record 30:50.56. Montera's time was 25 seconds better than the previous school mark, also set by Montera.
Logan Piper also set a school-record with his time of 56:76 in the 400 hurdles, improving upon the previous mark of 56.97. Piper's time earned him an 11th place finish.
Others that competed over the weekend in Villanova were Scarlett Pearlman in the steeplechase (14th, 11:52.05), Tommy Murray in the 1500 11th, (3:55.72) and Hiltebrand in the 800 (15th in 1:53.65).
"Overall, another good season to keep building on. We return a solid core of our top athletes and bring in another good recruiting class."
The BIG EAST Championships were the final track competition of the spring for the Bluejays, with nearly all of CU's team returning in the fall for the cross country season.
"We have to continue raising the floor," said Gannon. "That's something we have been able to do each year. We know there is work to be done and we will get back to it."
Marcos Gonzalez made history on Friday night when he registered CU's first points ever at the league championships with a sixth-place showing in the steeplechase, finishing the 3,000 meter race in a season-best time of 9:08.98 that was just behind his school-record effort of 9:06.50.
"It's a big moment for our program and a special moment for an incredible young man and his family," said head coach Chris Gannon following Thursday's race. "This means so much on so many levels."
The Bluejays closed the Championships by garnering points in the 4x800 relay on both the men's and women's side on Saturday afternoon.
The women earned their first points when they finished eighth in a time of 9:16.88. Saige Christen, Carly Manchester, Anika Nettekoven and Alexis Huddin composed the relay that etched its name in the Bluejay history book.
The men did even better, placing fourth in a time of 7:31.74. Creighton was sixth after two laps from Brian Hiltebrand before a strong leg from Jake Ziebarth moved the Jays up two spots with a blistering 800 of 1:50.56. He passed the baton to Ryan Hendrickson, who kept CU within striking distance of the leaders. Four teams finished within two seconds in the race for third place, with Bluejay senior Michael Buckley holding off runners from Providence and UConn on the home stretch to secure fourth place.
"It was a great performance in the men's 4x800 to close out our first BIG EAST Championships," noted Gannon. "It was good to also see the women compete for points in the relay."
Claire Pyne had the distinction of becoming CU's first competitor ever at the BIG EAST Track Championships on Thursday evening, racing to a 12th-place showing in the 10,000 meters. CU's first male to compete was Ryan Montera, who completed Thursday's 10,000 meter race in a program-record 30:50.56. Montera's time was 25 seconds better than the previous school mark, also set by Montera.
Logan Piper also set a school-record with his time of 56:76 in the 400 hurdles, improving upon the previous mark of 56.97. Piper's time earned him an 11th place finish.
Others that competed over the weekend in Villanova were Scarlett Pearlman in the steeplechase (14th, 11:52.05), Tommy Murray in the 1500 11th, (3:55.72) and Hiltebrand in the 800 (15th in 1:53.65).
"Overall, another good season to keep building on. We return a solid core of our top athletes and bring in another good recruiting class."
The BIG EAST Championships were the final track competition of the spring for the Bluejays, with nearly all of CU's team returning in the fall for the cross country season.
"We have to continue raising the floor," said Gannon. "That's something we have been able to do each year. We know there is work to be done and we will get back to it."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
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