Records Fall At Columbia Final Qualifier

By Chris Lotsbom, ArmoryTrack.com

NEW YORK (08-March) -- Saturday's Columbia Final Qualifying meet included two new world records, fast times, and some familiar faces. Here's a rundown:

- Men's 800m: Nicholas Berra of Pennsylvania broke the World And American Masters Age 45-49 records, timing 1:56.29. 

"This is the most fulfilling race I've ever run," Berra said. 

"I felt good and I hope that I could get it," Berra added. "I've kinda defied logic by getting faster as I get older." 

Also setting a record was Jacob Ellis of Bowdoin. With his final time of 1:51.06, Ellis set a facility record for Division III athletes.

The overall winner of the 800m was Nick Guarino (Syracuse Chargers) in 1:49.98.

- Men's 3000m: Another World and American Masters 45-49 age group record was set by Brad Barton of Utah, who timed 8:26.15 to finish third overall. Passing athletes left and right, Barton eclipsed Craig Fram's old American mark of 8:39.74 and Spain's Jesus Borrego's World best of 8:34.58.

"This is the first time I've raced this year," said Barton, 47. "We were just going to go for the American record today...but I was a little fast at 2-k and felt good."

Clipping off lap by lap, Barton closed furiously, nearly taking fourth place overall. 

"With 400m to go I just opened up. I'm in shock," he said. "I'm just thrilled. Getting it done at The Armory, I love this track."

Winning the 3000m was Michael Franklin in 8:17.01.

- Women's 800m: While Jenkintown's Kelsey Rose won the 800m in 2:12.67, the most impressive half-mile came from masters runner Zofia Wieciorkowska. Wieciorkowska, 51, made a valiant attempt at the Masters 50 to 54 Age Group World Record, coming up just short. Her time of 2:26.47 is still very impressive. She returned to the track minutes later to time 30.57 for 200 meters.

- Women's Mile: New Jersey-New York Track Club's Heather Wilson ran an impressive 4:34.64, just off her personal best. Teammates Nicol Traynor and Ashley Higginson rounded out the top three, while Brianna Nerud, the American junior record holder in the 3000m steeplechase placed seventh. Here's the top eight results:

 1 Wilson, Heather              New Jersey-N           4:34.64   1 
  2 Traynor, Nicol               New Jersey-N           4:41.36   1 
  3 Higginson, Ashley            New Jersey-N           4:43.69   1 
  4 Salerno, Melissa             New Balance            4:44.23   1 
  5 Koons, Frances               BMRC                   4:45.74   1 
  6 Martinelli, Sarah            West Virgini           4:47.11   1 
  7 Nerud, Brianna               Unattached             4:57.49   1 
  8 Eller, Amanda                Unat-Monmout           4:58.02   2 

- Men's Mile: New Jersey-New York TC made it a clean sweep of the miles, with Ford Palmer finishing in 4:00.43. Bowdoin's Coby Horowitz, the NCAA Division III record holder for the mile, made a valiant attempt at breaking the four-minute barrier, but came up just short in 4:01.11 (though he did set a facility record for Division III athletes). Olympian John Trautman finished 17th overall with a time of 4:17.30, just missing the World and American Masters Age-Group record of 4:16.53. 

- Columbia freshman Noah Lartigue, a walk-on from New Jersey, set a new school record of 21.86 to place second. He'll be racing the distance medley relay at the NCAA Championships next weekend.

Video interviews can be found here, while full results can be found here.