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Masterson 11th in West Regional 1,500

Redshirt freshman Casey Masterson qualifies for finals on day one of West Regional; Races to 11th place finish in finals on day two

Sports Information

Issue date: 6/1/09 Section: Sports

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Media Credit: Cory Reed

Casey Masterson runs during the 2008 Pac-10 Championships for cross country. Masterson finished 11th in the 1,500 on the track Saturday.

EUGENE - Freshman Casey Masterson wrapped up the 2009 season for the Oregon State women's track team with an 11th place finish at the NCAA West Regional held at Hayward Field on Saturday. With a time of 4:31.29, Masterson was less than a second outside the top 10.

"We went into the race thinking everyone would go out really fast, but it opened really slow - around 2:31 to 2:32 in the first 800, which is relatively pedestrian," head coach Kelly Sullivan said. "It turned into a real strategic race. With 600 to go she got spiked and got pushed back. By the time it heated up she wasn't able to reel in the pack, but still got one at the finish. That kind of race is a good race for her. You live and learn. It was a good experience for her and she found out what it was like to run in a really high-level competitive race."

Masterson qualified for Saturday's 12-runner final with a time of 4:25.02, a school record, in the first heat on Friday.

Winning the 1,500-meters regional championship was Brenda Martinez of UC Riverside with a time of 4:22.31. In a year that was riddled with injuries and illnesses, Masterson has been the biggest bright spot for OSU track this season. Including Friday's time, Masterson broke and re-set the new school record in the 1,500-meters three times this season as well as running the fourth fastest time in OSU history in the 800-meters (2:11.29).

Masterson is only the third OSU runner to compete at regionals since the program's return in 2004. In 2006 Ashley Younce qualified in the 5,000-meters and Lauren Denfeld qualified in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2007 and 2008.

"We'll take it and move forward," Sullivan said. "She had a great year. To make the regional final in the first go around as a freshman is a great accomplishment. She was disappointed today, but realized she can run with the best. It will make her even more hungry and more prepared for the future."

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