Freshmen Impressive at Big 12 Meet

BOULDER, Colo. - True freshmen Tiffanie Synacek and Luke Pinkelman led the way for the Iowa State track and field squad on Saturday, the second day of competition, at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships at the Potts Field Track. Synacek tied for third place in the high jump and Pinkelman placed fourth in the shot put in their first conference outdoor meets.

“Both Tiffanie and Luke, both true freshmen, came today and competed really hard,” said head track and field coach Corey Ihmels. “To finish where they did today, is a tremendous start to both of their careers. We are excited about the future for both of them.”

Synacek, a Council Bluffs native, achieved 5-8 3/4 in her third and final attempt at the height to secure a tie for third place. Synacek nearly cleared 5-10 3/4 on her next jump, but just grazed the bar with her heel. The place adds 5 1/2 points to ISU women's team score.

“I felt pretty good, I am glad that I hit the regional-qualifying mark,” Synacek said. “I had a really good first attempt at 5-10 3/4. This boosts my confidence going into regionals.”

The Thomas Jefferson alum officially regionally qualified with the mark, equaling her collegiate best. Synacek made the 5-8 3/4 regional qualifying standard a week ago at the Nebraska Invitational, but that event was moved indoors due to weather and did not count towards the NCAA's regional qualification.

“I'm really proud of the way she competed today, because her entire season came down to one jump,” ISU jumps and multi-events coach Pete Herber said. “If she hadn't made 5-8 3/4 her season would be done, but she nailed it. I am very proud of what she was able to accomplish today.”

Pinkelman performed strongly in his first conference meet as well. Pinkelman earned fourth in the shot put with a toss of 58-1 1/4. The Cozad, Neb. native has improved throughout the indoor season and is currently regionally qualified in the shot put. Pinkelman's toss earns five more points for the men's team score.

“[My first outdoor championships] was fun,” Pinkelman said. “I was coming into this just hopeful to get into the top five. I thought I could go out there and throw well, and it went my way today.”

Junior James Galvan qualified for Sunday's final in the 800-meter run where the junior-college transfer will be a strong contender for the title. Galvan ran the fastest time in the prelims at 1:49.82. The Tempe, Ariz. native finished runner-up in the event at the Big 12 Indoor Championships in February.

Other notable Iowa State performances today include Amy Waggoner who regionally qualified in the shot put with a career-best toss of 48-07 1/2. Waggoner has made tremendous strides in her career, raising her career best mark nearly every meet. Lashawn Wright shattered her career-best time in the 100-meters, sprinting an 11.74 effort.

“We have some things on the track tomorrow we have to get ready for,” Ihmels said. “Hopefully we can continue to make some good things happen.”

Sunday the Cyclones will close out the 2008 Big 12 Outdoor Championships with five athletes competing in final individual events in addition to the men's and women's 4 x 400-meter relays. Senior Jayden Russ will kick off events for the squad, running in the steeplechase at 4:15 p.m. The championships will come to a close with the 4x400-meter relays scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Cyclone Results

Men

Shot put- 1, Nate Englin, Missouri, 61-7 3/4, 4, Luke Pinkelman, Iowa State, 58-1 1/4

Team Scoring- 1. Missouri, 45; 2. Colorado, 42; 3. Nebraska 25; 4. Texas Tech, 20; 5. Texas A&M, 16; 6. Texas, 13; 7. Kansas, 11; 8. Kansas State, 9; 9. Iowa State, 8; 10. Oklahoma, 6

Women

High Jump- 1, Kim Shubert, Nebraska, 5-10 3/4, t3, Tiffanie Synacek, Iowa State, 5-8 3/4

Team Scoring- 1. Nebraska, 79; 2. Kansas State, 45 1/2; 3. Kansas, 40 1/2; 4. Texas A&M, 35; 5. Texas Tech, 28 1/2; 6. Missouri, 27; 7. Iowa State 21 1/2; 8. Oklahoma, 15; t9. Texas, 8; t9. Oklahoma State, 8; t11. Baylor, 2; t11. Colorado, 2

Players Mentioned

James Galvan

Luke Pinkelman

Jayden Russ

Jayden Russ

Amy Waggoner

Amy Waggoner

Lashawn Wright

Lashawn Wright

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics