By David Thompson
Running 10,000 meters may not be that difficult for someone who runs regularly, in fact 6.2 miles is not an absurd distance. Running that distance at six-minute-mile pace is a difficult feat. That is exactly what senior Sifrash Ademe did last weekend at the Stanford Invitational.
Even more impressive than finishing in the top 10 in the invitational, or recording the 12th best time in the nation this season, is the fact that it was her first ever 10k race.
"I didn't know how to race a 10k since it was my first one," Ademe said.
While being one of the nation's top runners is a huge accomplishment, Ademe is just thankful to be running in general.
"The sound of being in the top 10 in the nation sounds good, but what I am feeling is that I am thankful for finally being able to race 10k," Ademe said.
The senior has battled different injuries each of the last three years which has limited her time on the track. "The fact that I am finally in shape and able to run freely is a blessing."
Ademe finished the 25 laps in a time of 34:56.45, the second fastest 10,000 meter race in University of Portland history.
Head coach Ian Solof and Ademe had gone over a strategy prior to the race, a strategy that paid off.
"The race started a little slow," Ademe said. "I definitely had to be patient for the first half" and patient Ademe was. She ran a balanced race with 5k splits of 17:29 and 17:27 to finish fifth in her race and 10th overall for the invitational.
Ademe gives credit to her coach for helping her prepare.
"He told me we were going to have to be patient, run close to 17:30 the first half and that after that it would be a race," Ademe said.
With the time, Ademe became a provisional qualifier for the national meet in held in June.
"I would like to make it to Nationals, but this depends if my time is still in the top 25 come June," Ademe said.
Ademe may have to wait to see if she qualified for the National meet while senior Justin Houck and freshman Alfred Kipchumba both became automatic qualifiers in their respective events.
Kipchumba continued his tremendous first year on The Bluff by being the fifth college athlete in the 5000 meter race to cross the line. Kipchumba finished with a time of 13 minutes 51 seconds, eighth fastest in the nation this season.
Last fall, Kipchumba surprised everyone by finishing the cross country season as one of the nation's top underclassmen and as an all-American. His 18th place finish in the national meet helped the University of Portland to finish seventh, the highest finish in school history.
Houck, who was also a member of that team, ran the 3000 meter steeple chase in just over 9 minutes to place 10th in the invitational. That time is currently the 12th best thus far this season.
The steeple chase, arguably the most physically demanding race, combines endurance and strength. Participants must run the 3000 meters with five barriers spread around the track. The barrier is like a hurdle, but large enough to span the length of the steeplechase lane and sturdy enough for the runners to step on it. One of the five barriers is followed by a shallow sloping pit of water that the runners must run through.
Both the men and women continue the outdoor track season this weekend at the Willamette Invitational in Salem.
