Falcons Sweep Top Five Spots in 3000-Meter Run

Jan. 24, 2009

LINCOLN, Neb. - Highlighted by four first-place finishes, the Air Force track and field team concluded action in Nebraska this evening (Jan. 24) with the Nebraska Wesleyan Open. The non-team scoring meet began at the conclusion of the Big 12/Mountain West Conference Challenge. It featured athletes from the six participating "Challenge" schools, as well as host Nebraska Wesleyan.

The men's team picked up three first-place finishes, including an impressive top-five sweep of the 3000-meters. Freshman James Walmsley clocked a time of 8:35.62 to win the 17-runner event, while sophomore Justin Tyner (8:40.22) and senior Scott Balcao (8:41.37) finished second and third, respectively. Senior Justin Mason placed fourth with a time of 8:47.06 and freshman Jonathan Rock rounded out the Falcons' field with a fifth-place time of 8:47.24.

Junior Zach Nordahl, who won the mile with a time of 4:20.19, was one of three Falcons to finish within the top four of that race. Classmate Conor Murphy was the runner-up in 4:24.32, while freshman Chase Welch placed fourth with a time of 4:29.25.

Senior Daniel Castle and freshman Matthew Cain posted a one-two punch for Air Force in the 1000-meter run. Castle won the meet with a time of 2:31.87, while Cain clocked 2:33.00 to take second.

Air Force also accounted for multiple top-five finishes in the 800-meter run and weight throw. Freshman Nick White clocked a time of 1:56.25 to finish second in the 800, while senior Sebastian Ortiz was right on his heels at 1:56.26 to take third. Seniors Ian Hurdle and David Nan finished fourth (54'2") and fifth (51'1"), respectively, in the weight throw.

Additionally, Air Force's "A" relay team placed fourth with a time of 3:37.58, while freshman Robert Drye recorded the same placement in the shot put with a toss of 43'7¾".

On the women's side, the 4x400-meter relay team won the race with a time of 4:09.87, while freshman Jordyn Stoddard placed second in the triple jump with a distance of 34'11". Classmate Rachel Gebauer, who finished fifth in the weight throw (41'7"), placed third in the shot put with a distance of 34'11". Junior Nicole Elliott placed third in the 60-meter dash (8.16) and freshman Jess Barton finished fourth in the 200-meter dash (27.10).

The Falcons return home next weekend, when they host a pair of meets at the Cadet Field House. The squad's multi-event athletes will compete in the Air Force Combined Events on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 30-31), while the rest of the team will participate in the Air Force Duals with Colorado, Colorado State and Wyoming on Saturday.

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