Roche Starts Strong Before Fading At NCAA West Prelims
5/31/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For about half the race, Nick Roche matched some of the best steeplechasers in the country stride for stride. The Gonzaga junior eventually fell off the pace, though, and had to settle for a disappointing result in his postseason debut.
Roche finished 14th in his steeplechase heat, and 39th overall, at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary Championships on Friday night. The three-day meet is taking place in Fayetteville, Ark., at John McDonnell Field at the University of Arkansas.
Friday's competition marked the first time Roche, a native of Tigard, Ore., competed at a regional meet. He posted a time of 9 minutes, 17.31 seconds, leaving him about 18 seconds behind his personal best, which is also a Gonzaga record.
"He came out really fast and put himself in solid position," said Pat Tyson, Gonzaga's program director and men's coach. "He just didn't react well when people passed him. He's disappointed because it was a rough race for him, but you don't get better unless you race in these situations."
Throughout the first half of the race Roche matched, and in many cases exceeded, the pace set by the other 15 runners in his heat. He was fourth, for example, after the initial 1,000 meters. That's an impressive feat considering his heat, the second of three on the evening, included Anthony Rotich of the University of Texas-El Paso, who produced the fastest time in this event in the country this season.
"Any time you go to the NCAAs in any sport, it's a different world," Tyson said. "You're mixing it up with the big boys, with the best in the nation."
Roche began to fade around the 1,400-meter mark, slipping from fourth to seventh at that point. He fell six more spots in the next 400 meters before eventually settling for 14th place in his 16-man heat.
"Everybody in the field seemed pretty equal and Nick didn't seem to be afraid," Tyson said. "But he faded down the stretch, which is something he has done at times this year. But he got his feet wet, he can work on it and hopefully he'll get another chance next year."
Only the top three finishers from each heat, plus the next three best times, advance to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., in mid-June. All 12 of the national qualifiers posted times of 8 minutes, 49.95 seconds or below, including Rotich, who won the event at 8:38.80.
"Nick got here and he got to taste it," Tyson said. "He'll become a better runner because of it and he'll learn how to take it to the next level."
Roche isn't the only Zag competing at the West Preliminary Championships. Willie Milam, Gonzaga's record-holder in the 5,000 meters, will race in the 5K Saturday night at 6:05 PDT.
"Willie is ready," Tyson said. "He's healthy, energized and he's really focused. We're excited to see what he can do on this stage against some of the best runners in the country."
