Rutto Battles With World's Best

Thursday, April 14

Walnut, CA

Middle Tennessee

Mt. SAC Relays

4/16/2016 10:44:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

Raiders finish efforts at APSU

By: @MTAthletics

NORWALK, Calif./CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – On the final day of competition at the Mt. SAC Relays, Eliud Rutto solidified his position in the NCAA 800 meter, placing second in the 800 with the current NCAA second best time, while the remaining Blue Raiders concluded their efforts at the APSU Invitational.

Rutto, who finished runner-up at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in the 800 meters and earned First Team All-American honors, placed second in the 800 meter at the Mt. SAC Relays in 1:45.59.

The Eldoret, Kenya native was barely beat out by 2012 Olympic runner Duane Solomon. Sololmon, who competed in the 2012 Olympics and placed fourth in the 800 meter finals, finished the race in 1:45.47. Rutto did beat Nike and USA Olympic runner Lopez Lomong, Hoka One One runner David Torrence and Asics runner Ryan Martin.

Rutto also narrowly missed setting the school record, which he set in 2014 at the Payton Jordan Invitational with a time of 1:45.37.

"It's exciting to see Eliud (Rutto) compete with the best in the world," said associate head coach Keith Vroman. "Hitting the standard for the Olympics is a huge deal. He still has some big goals this outdoor season and will continue working towards being successful during the NCAA Championship season."

The Kenya native's time currently ranks as the second best time in the NCAA and is only behind BYU's Shaquille Walker who recorded a time of 1:44.99 at the 37th Annual Sun Angel Classic.

At the APSU Invitational, Rhema Cheruiyot and Pershawna Williams each claimed first in their respective events.

Cheruiyot placed first in the 1,500 meter in 4:39.25, while teammate Rachel Kigen placed eighth in 4:52.47.

In the women's high jump, Williams placed first after clearing a personal-best 1.75 meters (5-8.75). Williams' also cleared 1.75 meters at the 2014 Tennessee Relays.

Barbara Vilson also competed in the high jump and cleared 1.70 meters (5-7) for second, while Qetuwrah Abdullah-Muhammad leaped 1.65 meters (5-5) for third.

Vilson notched another second place finish in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing in 1:01.64.

The 4x100-meter team of Taylor Day, Elizabeth Dadzie, India Hammond and Loveth Odia captured first in 46.30.

For the Middle Tennessee men's squad, Charles Okeze finished first in the 100 meters (21.73) and fifth in the 200 meter (10.87).

Adeniji Adedamlola also competed in the 200 meter finishing sixth in 22.15 and placed first in the 400 meter in 48.23.

Jacob Patten continues his strong freshman campaign, placing second in the high jump after clearing 2.15 meters (7-0.5). Phillip Smith, who competed in the triple jump Friday night, placed third after leaping 2.10 meters (6-10.75).

Smith also notched a fifth-place finish in the long jump after leaping 6.65 meters (21-10).

Middle Tennessee continues competition at Auburn April 22-23 In Auburn, Alabama.

Mt. SAC Relays
Men's Results
800 Meter
2. Eliud Rutto (1:45.59)

Women's Results
100 Meter
6. Doreen Agyei (12.49)

200 Meter
3. Loveth Odia (24.78)
4. Taylor Day (24.90)
6. Doreen Agyei (25.09)

400 Meter
2. Loveth Odia (55.44)
5. Shaina Johnson (57.00)

1,500 Meter
1. Rhema Cheruiyot (4:39.25)
8. Rachel Kigen (4:52.47)
11. Sharon Kibiwott (4:58.33)
24. Julia Kitevski (5:16.53)

100-Meter Hurdles
2. India Hammond (14.25)
5. Jessica Howell (14.60)

400-Meter Hurdles
2. Barbara Vilson (1:01.64)

4x100-Meter Relay
1. Taylor Day, Elizabeth Dadzie, India Hammond, Loveth Odia (46.30)

High Jump
1. Pershawna Williams (1.75m)
2. Barbara Vilson (1.70m)
3. Qetuwrah Abdullah-Muhammad (1.65m)
11. Elizabeth Dadzie (1.55m)
14. Jessica Howell (1.50m)

Long Jump
3. Qetuwrah Abdullah-Muhammad (6.13m)
7. Taylor Day (5.72m)
7. India Hammond (5.72m)
11. Atarah Abdullah-Muhammad (5.50m)
16. Jessica Howell (5.32m)

Shot Put
9. Elizabeth Dadzie (10.75m)
14. Qetuwrah Abdullah-Muhammad (9.09m)
15. Jessica Howell (9.09m)

Men's Results
100 Meter
5. Charles Okeze (10.87)
19. Chaz Simmons (11.62)

200 Meter
1. Charlez Okeze (21.73)
4. Ifiok Umoh (22.02)
6. Adeniji Adedamola (22.15)

400 Meter
1. Adeniji Adedamola (48.23)
4. Ifiok Umoh (49.10)

800 Meter
6. Alden Dixon (1:59.15)

1,500 Meter
7. Alden Dixon (4:02.79)

400-Meter Hurdles
3. Byrson Lillard (55.27)
5. Greg Cantrell (56.74)

High Jump
2. Jacob Patten (2.15m)
3. Phillip Smith (2.10m)

Long Jump
5. Phillip Smith (6.65m)