3^rd Annual UBC Pre-Jerome Classic Preview

 This Olympic year has brought an international caliber field to the University of British Columbia for the third annual UBC Pre-Jerome Classic. This meet- the second stop on the Pacific Canada Series- gives athletes the prime opportunity to run a fast time in advance of the Harry Jerome Classic in Burnaby (Sunday, June 10).  This year looks to be the fastest pre-Jerome  yet and should be an exciting evening, as several athletes attempt Olympic standards. The showcase events of the evening will include the men’s 800m, women’s 800m, the women’s 3km steeplechase and the women’s 5km run. Admission is Free of charge with the first events kicking off at 6:00pm.

The women’s 3km steeplechase will be the first highlight event of the evening. Entrants include Lisa Aguilera of Phoenix, AZ - she holds a personal-best time of 9:24.84. The Canadian trio consisting of Dana Buchanan, Genevieve Lalonde and Lydia Willemse, all out of the Speed River TFC, will join her. UBC recruit, Adrianne Erdman will step to the line with hopes of representing Canada at the IAAF World Junior Championships- she will need to run under 11 minutes to do so. UBC athletes, Micha Gutmanis and Jenny McCormack will also be competing.

The men’s 800m should be fast. The field includes Jaden Ostapowich of Edmonton, who owns a seed time of 1:47.50. Canadian Juniors, Tyler Smith and Keffri Neal, will be looking to run under 1:50 to put themselves in good positions to represent Canada at the World Junior Championships.  Twin brothers José Juan Esparza and Jesús Arturo Esparza of Mexico, with personal bests of 1:48.34 and 1:49.50 will be part of the field. Nigel Hole of Point Grey TFC should be a factor in the race.

The American tandem of Lea Wallace, Bethany Praska and Lauren Hagans headline a star-studded women’s 800m field. Canadian-record holder, Diane Cummins should challenge for the win. UBC Thunderbirds, Devan Wiebe and Heather Slinn will be hoping for personal best times.  This race gets underway at 8:30pm.

The final event of the night will be the mixed 5,000m run- Canadian Megan Wright will make an attempt at the Olympic ‘A’ standard of 15:20.

Pre-Jerome Track Meet

(Tentative Schedule)
UBC Rashpal  Dhilon Oval Track

June 8, 2012. Vancouver, BC

6:00pm         3000m W

6:15pm         200m W

6:20pm         200m M         

6:30pm         1500m W      

6:40pm         1500m M

6:50pm         3000m M

7:10pm         400m W

7:20pm         400m M                   

7:25pm         3000m W steeplechase

7:45pm         100m W                 HJ W     LJ M   JAV W    SP W

7:55pm         100m M                 

8:05pm         800m M C

8:10pm         800m M B

8:15pm         800m M A

8:20pm         800m W  C

8:25pm         800m W  B

8:30pm         800m W  A

8:35pm         5000m M&W mixed race

Results will be posted at http://www.runnerspace.com/ubcprejerome following the meet.