FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 2, 2008

Eugene, Oregon – By: Mark Rinker – OTC Elite produced ten USATF Indoor National Championship qualifiers over the exciting two day event at the University of Washington Indoor Invitational in Seattle, Washington this weekend. Competing in the second meet of the year and the first meet with the entire OTC Elite squad, Frank Gagliano, coach of OTC Elite stated: “I’m happy that we preformed, and didn’t have any injuries, but it’s early, and we have a long way to go to the Olympic Trials, we need to stay healthy and get back to work.”

The distance races were the highlight of the meet for OTC, with Cack Ferrell winning the women’s 3,000 meters in 9:00.37, the fifth fastest time in the World this year. “It was thrilling and exciting to execute the race plan and run fast,” Ferrell said.

Watch Ferrells 3000m race below:

The men’s 5,000 meters produced five USATF qualifying times with OTC Elite newcomer Bolota Asmerom winning in 13:45.68. Asmerom was followed closely by teammates Sean Graham (13:46.70) and Lucas Meyer (13:50.44) in second and third while Max King (sixth, 13:54.41) and John Jefferson (eighth, 14:06.11) both grabbed their qualifying times with top ten performances. Meyer’s time was a 17 second personal record and according to him was “a long time coming.” Meyer went on to say, “My confidence is really high right now, and I’m really excited about the upcoming seasons.” OTC Elite ran a Distance Medley Relay, winning the event in a respectable 9:33.08. The relay team consisted of Sean O’Brien (1,200 – 2:56), Matt Scherer (400 – 47), Brandon Shaw (800 – 1:53) and Will Leer (1,600 – 3:58).

The middle distance runners also provided several exciting races to watch. 2004 Olympian Nicole Teter opened her season with a 2:03.80 performance to win the women’s 800 meter race by nearly two seconds. OTC was nearly as dominant in the men’s 800 meters with another OTC Elite newcomer, Kevin Hicks running away from the field in 1:48.81. Hicks was followed by Will Leer in fifth (1:49.90), Matt Scherer, sixth (1:50.03) and Sean O’Brien eighth (1:50.54). In the men’s mile Courtney Jaworski ran a credible 4:03.83 to finish eighth overall in the field of 39 finishers.

Watch Hicks' win below:

For in depth post event results visit gohuskies.com, for video race coverage and interviews click here, and for more info on the OTC Elite visit OTCelite.com. In two, OTC Elite, will split forces and travel to the Husky Invitational and the World Cross Country Trials.

Contact:
Ross Krempley, OTC Elite Director/Assistant Coach
[email protected]

###