University of Colorado’s Stephen Pifer finished fourth in the men’s 1,500 meters Saturday at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Austin, Texas, and qualified for the national championships. Pifer’s time of 3 minutes, 43.95 seconds trailed winner Leonel Manzano of Texas, who won in 3:42.86. Also qualifying: Colorado State’s Jaimee Troth threw 197 feet, 2 inches to finish second in the women’s hammer throw. CSU’s Katie Hansen placed fourth in the discus with a throw of 174-9. The NCAA championships will be June 6-9 in Sacramento, Calif.
Adams State’s Martinez a D-II 800 champion
Adams State’s Victoria Martinez won a national title in the 800 meters at the Division II National Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Emporia, Kan., with a time of 2:08.80 and the Grizzles finished third overall. Adams State, with 84 points, trailed team champion Lincoln (93 points). Western State finished 14th (17).
Adam State’s Brittany Somers was second in the 3,000 steeplechase at 10:52.57. Emily Mortensen finished second in the 5,000 with a time of 17:28.12, while teammate Michelle Icban was fourth (17:40.92).
The Adams State men finished fourth with 33 points; St. Augustine’s won the team title with 77 1/2. Western State and Colorado Mines finished 15th and 16th, respectively.
Anundsen in NCAA doubles tennis semifinals
North Carolina’s Sara Anundsen, a three-time state champ at Columbine High School, and teammate Jenna Long advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division I women’s doubles tennis championship after posting a 6-2, 6-4 victory over South Florida’s Gabriela Duch and Neyssa Etienne in Stanford, Calif.
