TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati track and field program had a strong showing on its first day of competition at the NCAA Indoor Championships, Friday in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The Bearcats were four-for-four in NCAA All-America Honors, with Aaron Bienenfeld earning the best placing on the day, a top-5 finish in the men's 5000m. Alec Sandusky and Taylor Beard also posted top-15 finishes, placing 14th in the 5,000m and 13th in the high jump, respectively.
Ellie Leather finished the mile-run preliminaries with All-America Honors and a clocking of 4:41.83, enough for a school record and 12th place finish but missed on qualifying for the finals by a scant .04 seconds.
BIG BAD BIENENFELD
Bienenfeld continued his record-breaking season, shattering his own 5000m school record by just over 10 seconds with a clocking of 13:31.65 and a fifth-place finish. Bienenfeld finished his indoor season nationally ranked in the NCAA top-5 while also controlling the UC record book in the 5000m and earning All-America accolades.
SAVAGE SANDUSKY
Sandusky opened his NCAA Indoor Championship debut with a strong showing in the 5000m where he placed 14th, crossing the line at 13:54.96. Alongside Bienenfeld, Sandusky also earned an All-America nod and will be back on the track for his second event Saturday afternoon, the men's 3000m at 4 p.m. ET.
UP AND OVER
Beard was the only field athlete representing UC at the NCAA indoor meet. She posted a mark of 1.76m (5-9.25), sharing 13th place. She cleared her opening bar on the first attempt, needed two attempts to get over the second bar and failed to clear her third bar on three attempts. Beard's placement earned her an All-America nod and national ranking to conclude her indoor season.
TRACK AND FIELD RESULTS
Men's
5000m
5. Aaron Bienenfeld 3:31.65 PR | SR
14. Alec Sandusky 13:54.96
Women's
High Jump
13. Taylor Beard 1.76m (5-9.25)
Mile Run - Prelims
12. Ellie Leather – 4:41.78 PR | SR
UP NEXT
Sandusky is slated to compete in the 3000m on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Live results will be available on NCAA.com.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati cross country and track and field, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Bearcats on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under the handle @GoBearcatsTFXC. Fans are encouraged to join in the conversation using the hashtag #Bearcats.
The Bearcats were four-for-four in NCAA All-America Honors, with Aaron Bienenfeld earning the best placing on the day, a top-5 finish in the men's 5000m. Alec Sandusky and Taylor Beard also posted top-15 finishes, placing 14th in the 5,000m and 13th in the high jump, respectively.
Ellie Leather finished the mile-run preliminaries with All-America Honors and a clocking of 4:41.83, enough for a school record and 12th place finish but missed on qualifying for the finals by a scant .04 seconds.
BIG BAD BIENENFELD
Bienenfeld continued his record-breaking season, shattering his own 5000m school record by just over 10 seconds with a clocking of 13:31.65 and a fifth-place finish. Bienenfeld finished his indoor season nationally ranked in the NCAA top-5 while also controlling the UC record book in the 5000m and earning All-America accolades.
SAVAGE SANDUSKY
Sandusky opened his NCAA Indoor Championship debut with a strong showing in the 5000m where he placed 14th, crossing the line at 13:54.96. Alongside Bienenfeld, Sandusky also earned an All-America nod and will be back on the track for his second event Saturday afternoon, the men's 3000m at 4 p.m. ET.
UP AND OVER
Beard was the only field athlete representing UC at the NCAA indoor meet. She posted a mark of 1.76m (5-9.25), sharing 13th place. She cleared her opening bar on the first attempt, needed two attempts to get over the second bar and failed to clear her third bar on three attempts. Beard's placement earned her an All-America nod and national ranking to conclude her indoor season.
TRACK AND FIELD RESULTS
Men's
5000m
5. Aaron Bienenfeld 3:31.65 PR | SR
14. Alec Sandusky 13:54.96
Women's
High Jump
13. Taylor Beard 1.76m (5-9.25)
Mile Run - Prelims
12. Ellie Leather – 4:41.78 PR | SR
UP NEXT
Sandusky is slated to compete in the 3000m on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Live results will be available on NCAA.com.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati cross country and track and field, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Bearcats on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under the handle @GoBearcatsTFXC. Fans are encouraged to join in the conversation using the hashtag #Bearcats.