The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorns looking to make impact in distance events at NCAA's
03.10.2015 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Lutz, Raines could provide crucial points for Texas
AUSTIN, Texas – Two Longhorns could play a big role for the Texas Track and Field team this weekend at the NCAA Championships. With both teams ranked No. 5 in the nation and ranking among the national leaders in entries at the NCAA Championships Texas is among the list of contenders to win, and Head Coach Mario Sategna has faith Craig Lutz and Sandie Raines can be point grabbers for the Longhorns.
Lutz enters the championship meet ranked No. 5 in the 5,000 meters and sophomore Sandie Raines is No. 7 in the women's 5,000.
Sategna believes having distance runners at the championship meet gives his team an edge it lacked a year ago.
"Craig and Sandie both did an outstanding job during cross country season this fall and were major contributors at the Big 12 Indoor Championships, which coupled with the other groups aided in our titles," Sategna said. "Heading to the championship I'm excited for them both to showcase their talents against the nation's best."
The Texas women lost the team title by just half a point last year and without any distance runners competing, the Longhorns were missing out on opportunities to score points. Now, Raines could play a key role for the team as the women look to rebound from last year's near miss and be in the hunt for the championship again.
On the men's side, Lutz represents an opportunity for the men to also score points in an event area they have not competed in at the national meet recently. If Lutz can score points for the men, it could be the difference needed to finish in the top five and compete for the team title after finishing 20th last year. The last time the men's and women's teams both finished in the top five at the indoor championship meet was in 2008.
Texas has seen success in the distance events at the NCAA meet. In 2013, Sara Sutherland finished eighth in the 5,000 meters after taking fifth in 2012. And in 2011, Mia Behm finished second in the event.
Most of the men's previous success at the national meet has been in the mid-distance events. Jacob Hernandez won the 800 meters in 2009. The previous year, Hernandez teamed up with Leo Manzano, Tevan Everett and Danzell Fortson to win the distance medley relay. Manzo also won back-to-back mile titles in 2007 and 2008.
Lutz and Raines will run Friday night in an attempt to put valuable points on the board for the Longhorns on the first day of the NCAA Indoor Championships and put Texas in a good position for their teammates.
Players Mentioned
