Drye Wins Weight Throw During Opening Day of AF Invitational

Feb. 12, 2010

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Highlighted by three first-place finishers, the Air Force track and field team kicked off competition at the 20th Air Force Invitational on Friday, Feb. 12, at the Academy's Cadet Field House. Sophomore Robert Drye was the top collegiate finisher in the weight throw, while senior Katie Anderson (800-meter run) and freshman Rob Simmons (pole vault) won their respective events in the non-seeded sections.

Drye was the top throwing collegian in the weight throw, winning the varsity competition with a career-best matching distance of 61'1½". For the third straight week, Drye has either set or matched the Academy's record in that event. The Falcons' distance medley relay quartet of Donald Jackson, Chris Severino, Andy Schweitzer and Zach Nordahl scored second-place points behind a time of 10:59.04.

In the first distance medley relay of the season, the women's team of Katie Carroll, Cathy Haycraft, Morgan Mosby and Whitney Beck combined for a time of 13:15.65 to finish third. Senior Sara Neubauer finished third overall (second among collegiate competitors) in the weight throw, recording a distance of 59'8½".

Several Falcons advanced to tomorrow's consolation and championship rounds of the 200- and 400-meter dashes, as well as the 800-meter run during this afternoon's qualifying rounds.

Freshman Uzor Udensi placed sixth in the 200-meter preliminary race, clocking a time of 21.91, while three Air Force athletes advanced to the finals of the 400-meter run behind career-best performances. Sophomore Manuel Smith and junior Chris Severino finished fifth (49.01) and sixth (49.28), respectively, while senior Bryant Davis placed ninth in a time of 49.62. Junior Tyler Stanley clocked a time of 1:59.39 to finish eighth in the 800-meter preliminary round, while freshman Chris Espinosa earned an advancing time of 2:03.27 in that event.

On the women's side, sophomore Phaelen French will compete in the finals of the 800-meter run, as she placed ninth with a time of 2:24.37. Emily Cotharn advanced in the 400-meter dash, after placing 12th in the preliminary round with a career-best time of 59.58.

Friday's action also featured several non-seeded events that won't count in the overall team scores.

Simmons cleared a career-best matching height of 16'6¾" to win the men's pole vault. His twin brother, Cale, finished third with a height of 16'0¾". Air Force claimed three of the top five spots in the 3000-meter run, led by freshman Sam O'Hair's second-place time of 9:39.25. Classmate Cory Johnson and Seth Pelletier finished fourth (9:43.51) and fifth (9:47.90), respectively.

On the women's side, Anderson won the 3000-meter run with a time of 11:03.25, while sophomore Alexa Ramsier placed fourth in 11:49.72. Freshman Melissa Fuerst placed fourth in the mile (5:39.86), while sophomore Amie Ellis placed fifth in the pole vault with a clearance of 10'6".

The Falcons conclude action at the Air Force Invitational tomorrow (Feb. 13). Action is slated to begin at 10 a.m., with the women's 5000-meter run and pole vault, as well as the men's high jump and shot put.

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