Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
NCAA Indoor Championships
Tech Brings Home Nine All-American Honors
March 14, 2009 | Track and Field
March 14, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas Tech track programs had a banner day at the NCAA Indoor Championships as it brought home a total of nine All-American honors and the men and women's programs recorded its best finish ever in school history.
"It was a day of seconds as Sally, Omo and Gil all finished in second. I couldn't be more proud of them as Omo and Gil ran personal-best," head coach Wes Kittley said. "Sally after she did what she did last night coming back and running the second fastest mile of her life. It was a great honor and I hated to see her leave but it was great to watch her one last time."
An illustrious career that was nothing short of amazing came to a close on Saturday afternoon. Sally Kipyego ran the mile in a time of 4:29.75 and looking for an unprecedented 10th NCAA title. The race was a great one and the finish was the closest Kipyego has ever been apart of as Tennessee's Sarah Bowman out leaned Kipyego by .03 to win the mile. It is only Kipyego's fourth loss to a collegian in her career at Tech.
"This has been a journey for two and a half years and I don't think I would have changed anything that happened. Well probably the last race but it has been great," Kipyego said. "I have had such a successful career and I never saw this coming."
The senior finished her career tying Suzy Favor Hamilton with nine NCAA titles, which is the most by any NCAA Division I female in track & field history. Kipyego won three-straight cross country titles (06-08), three-straight indoor 5,000M (07-09), the indoor 3,000M (2007), the outdoor 10,000M (2007) and the outdoor 5,000M (2008). She also has earned 12 All-American honors throughout her two and a half year career at Tech.
"When I first came to college all I could think was to get through and get my degree. It has turned out to be great and thank God for the first NCAA title because it changed everything," Kipyego exclaimed. "Today has just come down to a lot of people supporting me and giving me the opportunity to be better student and person in general. I am grateful to God, Coach Murray, Texas Tech and to my fans everywhere."
Junior Omo Osaghae earned his second All-American honor of his career. He ran a school-record of 7.64 placing second by .01. Ronnie Ash of Bethune-Cookman won with a time of 7.63.
"I feel good," Osaghae said. "I lost the race in the last hurdle, it kind of got me a little bit but I can't complain."
Sophomore Gil Roberts earned All-American status and set a new school record and a personal-best time of 45.71. Roberts fell just .02 of winning his first NCAA title. Wake Forest's Michael Bingham ran a 45.69 to win the 400M.
Senior Patience Knight earned her third-straight All-American award in the shot put. Knight threw 53'-6.25" to place sixth.
The men's 4x400M relay finished the meet strong as it earned All-American honors. The group of Rodney Mims, Markus Henderson, Tim Foster and Roberts finished seventh place with a time of 3:08.90. It is Henderson's first All-American honor, Mims and Foster grabbed their second and Roberts third of his career.
Junior Anthony Flemons finished 13th in the triple jump with a mark of 51'-5".
Texas Tech finished a program-best on both the men's and women's side. The Lady Raiders tied for ninth with 21 points and the Red Raiders placed 13th with 18 points. The nine All-American honors are the most ever won by the track program at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
"I was proud of our team, a little disappointed in the women's team that we didn't have a chance to be a top five team. We didn't have a great meet other than Sally and I think of the men's side we did about what we could. I was thrilled with a top 15 finish. It is one of the best finishes we have had indoors for our men."
Tennessee won the women's team title scoring 42 points and Oregon won the men's side with 54 points.
Players Mentioned
