Frawley and Walsh Head to NCAA Championships
6/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
June 5, 2007
The season continues for two members of the Air Force track and field team, as senior Brian Walsh (decathlon) and freshman Nick Frawley (pole vault) head to
Weekly Release 10 - at NCAA Outdoor Championships
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SCHEDULING 101: Action for both Falcons will begin on Wednesday (June 6). Brian Walsh's day begins at 10 a.m. (PST) with the first five events of the decathlon. While he is competing in the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400-meter dash, Nick Frawley will open the preliminary round of pole vault competition at 6:30 p.m. Walsh concludes competition on Thursday (June 7) with the 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin and 1500-meter run. The top 12 competitors from Wednesday's pole vault will advance to the finals on Friday (June 8) at 6:15 p.m.
HOW THEY GOT THERE: Brian Walsh, who has made two appearances in the heptathlon at the indoor championships, is ranked ninth in the nation with 7334 points heading into his first national decathlon. The Falcons' MVP is the current Mountain West Conference champion in the decathlon. Nick Frawley will be making his first appearance on the national stage after clearing a career-best 17'5½" to win the MWC title. With an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regionals, Frawley earned an at-large invitation to the national meet. Currently, Frawley has tallied the eighth-best height in the NCAA.
A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON: Air Force has had just two outdoor All-Americans in the events that will be contested this year. Marcus Nichols was an All-American in the decathlon and pole vault during the 1996 championships, while Paul Gensic claimed the distinction in the pole vault at the 2004 meet. (Gensic also earned All-America honors during the 2004-05 indoor championships).
HE'S HAD SOME TIME OFF: Although he has been training hard, Brian Walsh has been away from the competition scene for nearly a month. Since the decathlon is not contested at the regional level, the recent graduate hasn't competed in a meet since the MWC Championships, which were held May 9-12.
HAWKINS SETS ACADEMY RECORD: While qualifying for a spot in the regional final, junior Kevin Hawkins set an Academy record in the 800-meter run. During the preliminary round of competition, Hawkins crossed the finish line in 1:48.66. That time, which placed Hawkins sixth in the preliminary heat, is the fastest ever by an Air Force athlete, breaking Jeff Kuzma's record of 1:48.68 that was set in 1994.
OTHER AT-LARGE CONTENDERS: Two other Falcons had the opportunity to advance to the national meet based on their performances at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships. Junior Kevin Hawkins clocked a time of 1:49.76 to take seventh in the 800-meter run, while freshman Dan Paladino placed eighth in the hammer with a throw of 189'4".
ALL-REGION ACCOLADES: Freshmen Nick Frawley and Dan Paladino joined junior Kevin Hawkins on the all-Midwest Region team, due to their top-eight finishes at the regional championships. Hawkins placed seventh in the 800-meter run, while Frawley and Paladino picked up matching eighth-place finishes in the pole vault and hammer throw, respectively.
AIR FORCE HANDS OUT TEAM AWARDS: Several members of the Air Force track and field team were honored, as the team handed out its yearly awards at the end-of-season banquet on May 27. Seniors Brian Walsh and Olivia Korte were shared the MVP honor, while junior Kevin Hawkins and freshman Sara Neubauer earned the Outstanding Competitor distinction. Sharing the Newcomer of the Year award with Neubauer was Melissa Beerse, who set Academy records in both the indoor and outdoor pole vault. The top newcomer honor on the men's side was also shared, as Nick Frawley and Dan Paladino earned the honor.
ON DECK: After six months of competition, the 2007 track and field season will close with this weekend's national championships ... although cross country season is just under three months away!!
Players Mentioned
