Resurgent Elise Cranny wins fast mile at MPSF

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Stanford senior Elise Cranny vaulted all the way to fourth on the NCAA Division 1 indoor performance list in the mile with a lifetime-best 4:31.29 on Saturday at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships in Seattle.

Cranny led four women under the meet record as Oregon's Jessica Hull (4:31.76), Oregon's Lilli Burdon (4:32.30) and Stanford's Christina Aragon (4:34.76) all ran under Jordan Hasay's 2010 record. 

"Vanessa (Fraser) did a great job taking it out, making sure the pace was honest," Cranny said of her teammate. "(Qualifying) was important but we tried not to focus on it. Our coach really talks about competing and the times will come." INTERVIEW

For schools in the West, the meet served as a final chance to secure a berth at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Track and Field Championships or improve positioning.

USC swept the team titles. The Trojans women pulled 52 points out of the 60-meter hurdles (Dior Hall ran 7.99 seconds) and 60-meter dash on the way to a 122-point total to outpace Stanford (98) and Oregon (84).

The Men of Troy scored 107 points to come out on top of BYU (75.50), Oregon (65) and UCLA (62). Randall Cunningham Jr. was among USC's winners, clearing 7-3.25 (2.22m) to take the high jump.

Arizona State's Maggie Ewen broke the meet record in the women's shot put with her mark of 62-3.25 (18.98m). She also won the weight throw with 71-3.25 (21.72m).

In addition to Cranny's mile, it was a strong showing for Stanford's women. Olivia Baker won the 800 meters in 2:04.31. Fiona O'Keeffe won the 3,000 meters in 9:04.77, a half-second improvement from her season's best. The Cardinal also won the 4x400 (3:35.34).

BYU's Rory Linkletter led seven men under eight minutes in the 3,000 meters, clocking 7:54.29.