Two members of the Oklahoma State track and field program competed at the USATF Oxy High Performance Meet, hosted by Occidental College, on Friday night.Cowboy junior Raul Botezan made a late charge in heat four of the 1,500 meters, sprinting by the competition down the home stretch to take first place. His time of 3:41.14 set a new personal record and ranks No. 5 all-time at OSU.
His time also eclipses the 3:41.50 mark needed to qualify for the European Athletics Championships. Botezan, a native of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, will represent his home country at the event, which will be hosted in Helsinki, Filand, on June 27- July 1.
“He did a great job,” coach Dave Smith said. “He sat back in the pack and finished strong. He won his heat, set the best time in his life and got the time he needed.”
Cowgirl sophomore Natalja Piliusina also ran the 1,500 meters, attempting to shave .61 seconds off her personal best of 4:09.51 to achieve an Olympic “B” standard. However, she came up short as she ran a 4:13.95 to place 10th in heat two.
“Natalja had her first off day in two years since she’s been here,” Smith said. “Even having a tough day, she still ran a time that would be top five or six in the NCAA right now.
“There’s positives to take from it. I think she’ll bounce back for regionals and nationals.”
Both athletes will join 15 other OSU athletes who will compete at the NCAA West Regional next weekend, May 24-26, in Austin, Texas.
