Ten Buffs Qualify for NCAA Indoor Championships

BOULDER – Ten University of Colorado athletes have qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, March 10-11, in College Station, Texas.

Ben Saarel, Zachary Perrin, John Dressel and Joe Klecker will represent the men's team, while Erin Clark, Dani Jones and the members of the women's distance medley relay will race for the women's team.

"This is our largest group in a few years," head coach Mark Wetmore said. "We are happy to get this many through. Disappointed to have a couple barely miss, but they will make it soon. Maybe even by outdoors."

Ben Saarel will compete in both the mile and the 3,000 meters. This is Saarel's first NCAA appearance in the mile as his time of 4:01.49 from the Colorado Open qualified him earlier in February. The 3,000 meters however, Saarel is no stranger to as he finished third overall in 2014 clocking an 8:13.45 time to earn All-American honors. He enters the 2017 NCAA Championships with the 15^th fastest time in the country at 7:53.74.

Sophomore John Dressel also qualified in two events as he will be competing in the 5,000 and 3,000 meters. This will be Dressel's first trip to the NCAA Championships, and is sitting nicely as he owns the 10^th fastest 3,000 meter time in the country after clocking his time of 7:51.44 this past weekend at the MPSF Championships. Dressel is the only Buff who will be competing in the 5k with his time of 13:42.57 which ranks fifth in the Nation.

With the ninth fastest 3,000 time in the country, Joe Klecker is set to compete in his first indoor National Championships. Klecker clocked a 7:51.43 at the Husky Classic to qualify. Zachary Perrin is also ready to run in his first NCAA Championship in the mile as he qualified with a time of 4:02.27 earlier this season.

Junior Erin Clark is returning to the National Championships in the 3,000 meters where a year ago she placed fifth with a time of 9:08.63 to earn All-America honors in the event. Clark is currently the No. 7^th fastest 3k runner in the country with a 9:05.93 time from the Husky Classic.

Making her NCAA Championship debut, sophomore Dani Jones is set to compete in the 3,000 meters alongside teammate Erin Clark. Jones currently has the No. 2 time in the country with a 9:02.22.

The women's distance medley relay comprised of Tabor Scholl, Elissa Mann, Sage Hurta and Dani Jones qualified for the Championships last weekend after winning the MPSF Championships with a time of 10:58.68.

"We have a useful block of time now to resume training and maybe advance their fitness before racing in Texas," Wetmore said. "Everyone is excited."

The mile, 5,000 meters and DMR relay are set for Friday March 10 starting at 4:30 p.m. MT. The 3,000 meters will be on Saturday March 11 starting at 5:00 p.m. MT with the women's finals.

Players Mentioned

Erin Clark

John Dressel

Sage Hurta

Dani Jones

Joe Klecker

Elissa Mann

Zach Perrin

Ben Saarel

Tabor Scholl