Couts, Ernstrom Lead Bears On Day One of NCAAs
8/14/2000 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
March 3, 2000
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Brandon Couts set the collegiate 400 meter record today as he clocked a season best 45.60 in the preliminaries of the NCAA Indoor Championship meet.
"The race felt good overall. I could tell the track was fast. It is a nice, fast track," Couts said.
Couts led the entire race, eclipsing his previous best of 45.63 set at the recent Big 12 meet.
"Brandon ran an outstanding race. He got the lead early and kept it. That is what you have to do indoors. You have to take command and that is exactly what he did," head coach Clyde Hart said.
While the 400 meter preliminaries were the high point for the men's team, they also served as the low point. Bayano Kamani suffered a strained right hamstring and was unable to finish the race.
"It was a wise thing for Bayano to pull up when he felt the cramp otherwise he might have been out for a good portion of the outdoor season," Hart said.
Kamani is questionable for the relay tomorrow. Zsolt Szeglet, who injured his ankle Monday is also questionable for the 4x400 meter relay. Pete Hauser was already set to fill in for Szeglet prior to today's injury.
"As far as the relay, we just don't know. This is unbelievable bad luck. It does not look good for us, but we will make that decision tomorrow. You can't control injuries. It is just unfortunate," Hart said.
On the women's side, senior Karin Ernstom scored for the Bears with an eighth place finish in the 5000 meters. Her time of 16:17.49 was a season best.
"We went out fast, really fast. I couldn't believe we went off so fast. I felt really good through the whole race. It was a smooth run the entire way. I had so much fun out there and that is what it is all about. I really enjoyed it," Ernstrom said.
"Karin had a very good race. She came in with the 16th best time in the nation and finished 8th. It was an outstanding performance," Hart said.
Action continues tomorrow at 5:30 as vaulter Jim Autenreith beings his event. The finals in the men's 400 meter is set for 5:30, while the men's and women's 4x400 meter relays are set to start at 7:55 p.m. and 8:10 p.m.
