Michigan
NCAA Outdoor Championships (Day 2)
Brannen, Willis Win Heats, Advance to NCAA Finals
6/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sophomore Nate Brannen (Cambridge, Ontario/Preston HS) and freshman Nick Willis (Lower Hutt, New Zealand/Hutt Valley HS) of the University of Michigan men's track and field team advanced to the finals of the 800- and 1,500-meter runs, respectively, today (Thursday, June 12) on the second day of competition at the 2003 NCAA Outdoor Championships at the A.G. Spanos Sports Complex on the campus of Sacramento State University.
| | Brannen | | Willis |
| | | ||
At 500 meters Brannen made a quick move to get himself into position for a final kick, and coming around the final turn he broke from running shoulder to shoulder with Kentucky's Jean Balan and advanced past the race leaders, TCU's Jackson Langat and Pennsylvania's Sam Burley, to earn the win and automatically advance to the NCAA final.
Willis earned his spot in the final of the 1,500-meter race as he demolished the 13-member field by more than 20 meters, finishing in a personal best 3:42.16. Running in the second section of the event, the 2003 Big Ten Conference Indoor and Outdoor Freshman of the year, held back in the pack for the first 3 laps, but with 450-meters to go, he bolted to the front and never looked back.
As the bell rang to signify the final lap, Willis continued to open up the lead as he surged to a 20-meter lead at the 300-meter mark. With 250 meters to go, Willis took a look back at the field and knew all he needed to do was maintain his pace and no one would catch him.
The duo have a day off until they take to the track again for the finals of their respective events on Saturday (June 14). Willis will be the first to compete as the 1,500 takes place at 7:50 p.m. PDT, while Brannen runs in the 800 at 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday's Results
800-meter Run (Semifinals) Heat 2 1. Nate Brannen, U-M 1:47.28Q 1,500-meter Run (Prelims) 1. Nick Willis, U-M 3:42.16Q
Contact: Andrew Ladd (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
