You've all seen someone settng the pace in a major race, the rabbit as they call them in the track and field world. In the spirit of the holidays I started thinking how come they never get any love? After all a great rabbit can help a runner to a new personal best, meet record, or even world leading time. Saucony 800 runner Molly Beckwith and former Indiana University teammate and rabbit for this race have a little fun with our Todd Grasley.
A total of 15 Hoosiers have been named All-Academic honorees for track and field by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Nine women and six men were honored, and Indiana's honorees combined for nine All-America certificates in 2010. Molly Beckwith headlines the group of Hoosiers, as she finished second in the 800m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Several athletes with Hoosier ties are making waves throughout the world in track and field this summer. Molly Beckwith is touring Europe, running elite 800m races, where she has broken the two-minute barrier and the IU record. Derek Drouin competed at an elite invitational in preparation for the upcoming Canadian National Championships, and former Hoosier Danielle Carruthers recently knocked off the current U.S. champion in the 100m hurdles.
Six Indiana track and field student-athletes earned All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced. Highlighting that group are NCAA Champion high jumper Derek Drouin and NCAA runner-up in the 800 meters Molly Beckwith. Joining Drouin and Beckwith were senior Jeff Coover, juniors Sarah Pease and Faith Sherrill and sophomore De'Sean Turner.
Molly Beckwith and De'Sean Turner each advanced through semifinal action on the first day of competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Beckwith won her heat of the 800m with the second-fastest qualifying time and Turner took second in his heat for advancement in the 3,000m steeplechase.
Indiana got NCAA qualifying performances on day one at the Tyson Invitational. Freshman Arianne Raby and seniors Molly Beckwith and Wendi Robinson ran NCAA provisional marks and junior Faith Sherrill recorded a new school record in the weight throw to lead the Hoosiers.
The 2010 indoor season has seen the IU men's distance runners gain national recognition. At the Meyo Invitational, the women's distance runners got in on the act. The Hoosiers got four NCAA qualifications in women's distance events, including two new school records.
Indiana track and field had a banner day on day one of the Indiana Relays. Leading the way was sophomore Andy Bayer who became the first Hoosier to finish the mile in under four minutes at Gladstein Fieldhouse. Molly Beckwith posted the best mile time in Div. I this season, and three other Hoosiers posted NCAA qualifying marks in the mile. Kristen Crawford posted an NCAA mark in the weight throw as well.
Indiana track and field started off the indoor season with gusto at the Indiana Open. Four Hoosiers posted the best marks in Division I this season. Sophomore Derek Drouin posted an NCAA automatic qualifying mark, the best on U.S. soil this season. Junior Faith Sherrill posted the NCAA's best mark with a huge toss in the shot put, breaking an IU record that stood for 18 years in the process. Seniors Jeff Coover and Molly Beckwith posted NCAA-best marks in the pole vault and 800 meters respectively.
Indiana track and field will open the indoor season by hosting the Indiana Open on Saturday, January 9, 2010. Senior Molly Beckwith took time to talk about the beginning of the 2010 campaign and the preparation the team has put in over the course of the last few months.
