Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
School record falls at Notre Dame
2/20/2016 6:20:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country
DMR team finishes 10th
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Middle Tennessee track & field teams competed in only two events at the Alex Wilson Invitational on the campus of Notre Dame, but it was all they needed to make their impact felt in the Middle Tennessee record books.
The men's distance medley relay team of Eliud Rutto, Ifiok Umoh, Sampson Laari and Hillary Rono raced to a 10th-place finish in 9:33.46, breaking a 35-year old record and now rank 16th in the NCAA. The previous time of 9:48.04 was set in 1981.
"All four of those guys stepped up to compete with the best in the country today and all the credit goes to them and really illustrates how they have prepared for the championship season," said associate head coach Keith Vroman.
Rutto now finds himself in three Middle Tennessee indoor records as the Blue Raider 800-meter specialist holds the indoor 800 record and is a member of the 4x400-meter relay team.
In the women's 800, Agnes Abu finished sixth overall in 2:05.81, marking the second fastest time for Abu and in the Middle Tennessee record book.
"Agnes Abu has really improved this season, running 2:08.9 earlier in the season to running 2:05.81 today," said Vroman. "It's testament to how hard she has worked to accomplish her goals. She has really been a team leader this year as a sophomore. "
Abu previously set the Middle Tennessee indoor record at the Music City Challenge, finishing in a time of 2:05.71.
"Any time you can be ranked top-25 nationally, you are doing what it takes to be your best," stated Vroman. "Agnes Abu is currently ranked 24th in the nation and the mens DMR is now 16th, and these athletes showed today they can compete at the national level. We are looking forward to what they can accomplish this week at the Conference USA Championships this week."
Middle Tennessee continues competition at the Conference USA Championships Feb. 24-25.
Men's Results
Distance Medley Relay
10. Eliud Rutto, Ifiok Umoh, Sampson Laari, Hillary Rono (9:33.46) $
Women's Results
800 Meter
6. Agnes Abu (2:05.81)
$ - School Record
The men's distance medley relay team of Eliud Rutto, Ifiok Umoh, Sampson Laari and Hillary Rono raced to a 10th-place finish in 9:33.46, breaking a 35-year old record and now rank 16th in the NCAA. The previous time of 9:48.04 was set in 1981.
"All four of those guys stepped up to compete with the best in the country today and all the credit goes to them and really illustrates how they have prepared for the championship season," said associate head coach Keith Vroman.
Rutto now finds himself in three Middle Tennessee indoor records as the Blue Raider 800-meter specialist holds the indoor 800 record and is a member of the 4x400-meter relay team.
In the women's 800, Agnes Abu finished sixth overall in 2:05.81, marking the second fastest time for Abu and in the Middle Tennessee record book.
"Agnes Abu has really improved this season, running 2:08.9 earlier in the season to running 2:05.81 today," said Vroman. "It's testament to how hard she has worked to accomplish her goals. She has really been a team leader this year as a sophomore. "
Abu previously set the Middle Tennessee indoor record at the Music City Challenge, finishing in a time of 2:05.71.
"Any time you can be ranked top-25 nationally, you are doing what it takes to be your best," stated Vroman. "Agnes Abu is currently ranked 24th in the nation and the mens DMR is now 16th, and these athletes showed today they can compete at the national level. We are looking forward to what they can accomplish this week at the Conference USA Championships this week."
Middle Tennessee continues competition at the Conference USA Championships Feb. 24-25.
Men's Results
Distance Medley Relay
10. Eliud Rutto, Ifiok Umoh, Sampson Laari, Hillary Rono (9:33.46) $
Women's Results
800 Meter
6. Agnes Abu (2:05.81)
$ - School Record
Players Mentioned
XC/Dist.
/ Track & Field/Cross Country
XC/Dist.
/ Track & Field/Cross CountryXC/Dist.
/ Track & Field/Cross CountryXC/Dist.
/ Track & Field/Cross CountryM. Dist.
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