Men Take Second at WAC Championships

Thursday, February 26

Colorado Springs, CO

All Day

Grand Canyon

WAC Indoor Championships

Head Coach Tom Flood

2/28/2015 9:21:00 PM | Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

The Grand Canyon University men's track and field team made a late surge, but came up just short, placing second for the second consecutive year at the WAC Indoor Track and Field Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Saturday.

Head Coach Tom Flood was named the women's Indoor Coach of the Year for the second straight year, while Josh Ralston was named the men's High Point Performer of the Year.

Click here to view a video interview with Coach Flood and here for Josh Ralston's interview following the championships.

"I'm very proud of both of our teams performance this weekend," said Flood. "It is always tough to win a conference championship but it is even tougher to defend one; our women's team took care of business today to defend their title from last year."

Aaliyah Cook , the outstanding Freshman of the Year, won the high jump Saturday after clearing the bar at 1.67 meters. Tope Williams raced to a top finish in the 60-meter dash, clocking a time of 7.49 seconds and finished second in the 200-meter dash.

"Aaliyah Cook came back from a runner-up finish yesterday in the long jump with a win today in the high jump," said Flood. "Aaliyah had an incredible first conference meet and will be a big scorer for us for years to come. Tope will help us carry on our successful tradition of having dominating sprinters in the conference. She has a very bright future ahead of her!"

On the men's side, Aaron Thurber (60-meter dash), Lance Parker (200-meter dash), Josh Ralston (400-meter dash), Marcus Flannigan (long jump) and Austin Tilley (pole vault) all were crowned champion on the final day of competition. Parker's time of 21.37 seconds in the 200-meter dash is a new school record.

Timothy Ryan, who placed in three events at the championships, was named the Freshman of the Year for his efforts.

"Although the men's team didn't come away with the indoor conference title they so desperately desired, they competed until the final event and left it all out on the track today," stated Flood. "We cut Utah Valley's lead to only 3.5 points (down from a first day lead of 49.5 points) with two events to go but again our lack of depth the distance events cost us in the long run."

"Josh had an incredible weekend and might have earned himself a couple of days off next week," joked Flood.

"Marcus had the meet of his life with personal best in his long jump win and in the 200-meters. He is just scratching the surface of how good he will be," added Flood. "Aaron had a great win in the always unpredictable 60-meters and came back with a nice performance in the 200 meters. He is definitely one athlete that can't wait for the outdoor season."

"We will let the athletes enjoy the success of the indoor season today and on the plane ride back home tomorrow but come Monday they will be ready to focus on our outdoor season," concluded Flood.

The Lopes will take a few weeks off before opening the outdoor season at the Willie Williams Invitational in Tucson March 20-21.

WAC Individual Champions (Event)
Aaliyah Cook (High Jump)
Kevina Godfrey (Long Jump)
Vanessa Levy (Weight Throw)
Jennifer Rolph (Pole Vault)
Tope Williams (60-meter dash)
Marcus Flannigan (Long Jump)
Jude Olear (Triple Jump)
Lance Parker (200-meter dash)
Josh Ralston (400-meter dash)
Austin Tilley (Pole Vault)
Aaron Thurber (60-meter dash)