UBC Last Chance Qualifier Preview

The UBC Last Chance Qualifier Meet gets underway this Friday evening, May 11, 2012 at the Rashpal Dhillon Oval on the corner of Wesbrook and 16^th avenue. You can expect some entertaining races, as the meet will feature some of the UBC’s top athletes attempting to hit NAIA standards one final time. Athletes from Trinity Western University and the University of Victoria are expected to be in attendance at the meet. Events will begin at 4:00pm with the men’s 5km race walk and conclude at 6:15pm with the men’s 1500m run.

Among showcase races, the women’s 1500m run should not be missed.  This race will feature first-year superstar Maria Bernard, currently ranked # 1 in the NAIA,  as she attempts to go after the IAAF World Junior Championship in Barcelona standard of 4:28.00. Bernard has run 4:29.30 this year at the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, CA. Pacing duties will belong to Heather Slinn and Devan Wiebe.

The men’s 1500m should be another fast race.  Among the field, you can expect to see UBC second-year Justin Kent, ranked #10 in the NAIA, running towards the elusive 3:50 barrier. Kent will run the 3km steeple at NAIA Nationals and will be hoping for a fast time Friday. Thunderbird veteran Lucas Bruchet should also be in the field providing for a hotly contested battle. Pacing duties will belong to Point Grey TF Club runner and UBC alumni, Nigel Hole.

The women’s 800m will display another young talent in first-year, Devan Wiebe, ranked #2 in the NAIA, as she also will be chasing the IAAF World Junior Championship in Barcelona standard of 2:09.10. Wiebe holds a personal best of 2:10.57, which she ran two weeks ago at the Payton Jordan Invitational at Stanford. Fourth-year senior Mariah Robinson will have one last crack at the NAIA ‘A’ standard of 2:14.50 and the NAIA ‘B’ standard of 2:16.00. She has run 2:16.10 so far this year.

The men’s 800m will stick to the common trend of exhibiting young talent. Second-year Simon Bill will make an effort to achieve NAIA ‘B’ standard of 1:54.50.  He came agonizingly close at the WWU Twilght Meet with a 1:54.76. First-year Devin Rajala will be a factor in the race as he too will go after NAIA ‘B’ standard. He holds a personal best of 1:55.65. Pacing duties will be given to Jordan Smith.

In the jumps Erin Templeton, ranked #5 in the NAIA, will switch things up from her specialty of triple jump in preparation for NAIA Nationals. She will be entered in the women’s long jump and will be looking to improve on her personal-best mark. Javelin thrower Christine Ausman, ranked #6 in the NAIA will attempt to improve her personal best of 42.36.  NAIA qualifier Anne-Mari Nano will go after her season best in the women's 400m.

Results

Live Result updates will be available via twitter @ubctrack

Complete Results will be posted online after the competition at http://www.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=31542

Up Next

The Birds’ will send all NAIA National qualifiers to the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Marion, Indiana from May 22^ndto May 27^th.