New Mexico Freshman Pamela Kosgei Looks To Book Her Spot In The NCAA 3,000 Meters

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Carol Chen photo

Freshman standout Pamela Kosgei from the University of New Mexico is expected to take aim at an NCAA qualifying time in the women's 3,000 meters on Friday at the UW Invitational at the Dempsey Indoor in Seattle. 

Kosgei, who made an immediate impact for the Lobos during the cross county season when she finished second at the NCAA Championships behind Alabama's Doris Lemngole, will race indoors on a flat track and sea level for the first time when races Friday. 

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Kosgei, who is also entered in the mile, ran a time of 4:36.70 at altitude in Albuquerque last weekend and sits No. 4 in the NCAA in that event. She is also ranked third in the 5,000 meters after running 15:00.36 at Boston University on Dec. 7. 

A fast 3,000 meters would allow her to keep all of her options open when the NCAA Indoor Championships come around in March. 

If she runs the mile, Kosgei would face Portland's Laura Pellicoro, Washington's Chloe Foerster, Mia Cochran and Amina Maatoug, and Bowerman Track Club's Kaylee Mitchell. 

Washington's Nathan Green, the NCAA leader in the mile, is one of the headliners of Saturday's men's invitational 800 meters. 

Hana and Amanda Moll are both entered in Friday's women's pole vault. The twins, now sophomores, both jumped 15-3 (4.65m) at the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev. They both took attempts at 15-7 (4.75m), a height that would match the NCAA record.

The 4.65m clearances are also higher than Hana Moll's winning jump at last year's NCAA Indoor Championships, where she jumped 15-1 (4.60m).

Washington duo Kyle Reinheimer and Justin O'Toole, both of whom are in the top five of the NCAA 800 meters list, are entered in the 600 on Saturday. 

Washington State's Micaela De Mello, an NCAA finalist last June, is the top entry in the women's 60-meter hurdles.