Hamer Completes Qualifying Double, Muzzio Earns a Ticket Too

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – One event at Nationals was not enough for Eric Hamer who paired his already attained 10,000-meter qualification with a 5K one, while Maria Muzzio earned herself a ticket in the discus to the NCAA Championships too during Saturday's NCAA West Preliminary finale at E.B. Cushings Stadium.

In each of Muzzio's three career regional trips, she improved from 2018's 32^nd-place to 2019's 26^th-place and today's 10^th-place that sends the senior from Fairfax, Virginia to NCAAs. She had it secured prior to her last throw but for good measure, she turned out a 55.39m/181'8'' to climb one more spot. Her discus appearance at the NCAA Championships will be the 14^th all-time for Colorado State track and field and the eighth Ram to do so, which both mark the most among events for the women's side.

Later in the evening, Hamer placed seventh in the second heat of the 5K, which wound up being the faster of the two heats and he grabbed the seventh spot in qualifying with a time of 13:55.97. He was already the first Ram to reach Regionals in the 10K and 5K, so naturally he one-upped that to Nationals.

Hamer and Muzzio join Adam Dawson to make three total Rams en route to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., starting June 9^th. Dawson earned his route in the discus on Friday.

By the slimmest margin (.12) and one place, the Rams almost made that an even four. In the 400m, Lauren Gale finished 13^th with a time of 51.96, which still impressively reestablished her own school record by .26. Six schools represented the top 12 with five from USC and three from Texas A&M including first-place Athing Mu who set a college record and became the fastest U20 woman in U.S. history.

Student-Athletes' Perspective
Maria Muzzio
"I was extremely excited [on qualifying]. I had a feeling prior to the last throw although I was not looking at the placing, but I knew who was in front of me and behind me. I went into the last attempt with the attitude of 'I'm going to put it all out there and see what happens' and it worked out. During the competition, I was cognizant of my composure, because I was throwing with a lot of talented girls. I had a good series with three solid throws of 54m, 53m and 55m. Coach [Bedard] came up to me afterwards and complimented me on my composure and said that I deserved to be here, so that is always nice to hear. After, I ran over to the fence and hugged my parents who made the trip. Mom was crying, Dad was all excited, so it was a really cool moment and to have them here to share it was special."

Eric Hamer
"I went into the 10K laser focused with a plan and super ready. The 5K was very opposite. It was a little lackadaisical, but the burden to control everything wasn't as high. I was just as ready as I needed to be, but a different type of ready. There was just a time in the race that you embrace the suck – the heat, your legs are done and you're going against guys that are fresh and only here to run the 5K. It fires you up. With a lap to go, I knew what time I had to run. [Wesley, winner of race] Kiptoo was way out front and then there was seven others, and I was like 'I need to pass at least two guys'. I waited for 200m to go and got a whiff of adrenaline to finish and get that last spot. You finish and the pain and fatigue goes away. Then I'm just like 'that just happened', so I'm pretty excited."

Coaches' Perspective
Head Coach Brian Bedard
On Muzzio…
"She looked like a veteran from everything from her warm-up throws, her focus and ability to relax. All of her throws were composed, and I am really proud of her in the way she competed with consistency and like a champion."

On the week overall…
"The staff shared my opinion which is this meet is difficult. The multiple rounds after a very long season and every student-athlete at the meet is talented. It is a challenge. There are casualties in even the top competitors. If you flinch at all or composed at all then it can be a rough day. The margin for error is slim. It was a great opportunity though for our student-athletes because it is a different meet than any other that we go to. More athletes, different format, more on the line, so until you have been here and been through it then it is hard to understand. We'll take the learning experience and grow for those coming back. As far the qualifiers, we will get back home, rest and continue our mission to the final destination in Eugene."

Assistant Coach – Distance, Art Siemers
On Hamer…
"Today, we knew the field was extraordinary. It was loaded with talent and All-Americans in both sections. We knew that everything would have to go perfect. He is so self-aware in races. He knew when to make a push and threw down a 64 -second 400m to break up the field and tire the kick out of some of the guy's legs and it ended up working out. He was ninth with 200m to go and he found that second gear to close with 25 seconds, which is the fastest he's ever finished off a race. He passed two guys to grab that last qualifying spot, so it was a gutsy race. It was tough conditions today and coming back from that 10K, only few can do that. It's a hard double, but he is doing the best racing of his career right now."

NCAA West Preliminary Info
Headquarters – https://csura.ms/2TbufJy
Results - https://csura.ms/2RKZpqT

NCAA WEST PRELIMINARY DAY 4 FINAL RESULTS
For complete results see link at top of recap
(PR)- Personal Best

Women's Discus First Round
10. Maria Muzzio, 55.39m/181'8''; Qualifier
34. Gabi McDonald, 49.05m/160'11''

Women's 400m Quarterfinal
13. Lauren Gale, 51.96; PR by .26, Reestablished CSU Record

Women's High Jump First Round
15. Jordan Lanning, 1.77m/5'9'.75''

Women's 3000m Steeplechase Semifinal
28. Emily Chaston, 10:30.38

Women's 5,000m Semifinal
38. Lauren Offerman, 16:57.93

-------

Men's 5,000m Semifinal
7. Eric Hamer, 13:55.97; Qualifier

Men's 3000m Steeplechase Semifinal
41. Lars Mitchel, 9:37.32
DNF. Thomas Chaston

NCAA Championship Qualifiers
Women - Maria Muzzio, Discus
Men – Eric Hamer, 5,000m & 10,000m; Adam Dawson, Discus

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