May 15, 2009

LUBBOCK, Texas - Senior Ryan Vail gave the Oklahoma State men's track and field team a huge boost as it began competition at the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships Friday, winning the 10,000-meter run individual title in his first 10,000-meter race of the season.

"It was my goal going into the race to win," Vail said. "I started out at a good pace and kept going strong and it feels really good to have a chance to get first and second as a team in the race. All the guys ran awesome."

Vail was joined by fellow Cowboy Alejandro Ruiz atop the list of finishers, as the pair of Cowboys finished No. 1 and No. 2 in the race with times of 30:33.85 and 30:38.59, respectively.

"It was a big step for me because I've never scored at Big 12s," Ruiz said. "It was a great race. Vail did a great job and Clay Mayes did as well. It was a big step as a team and it feels really good."

"All the guys ran great races," coach Dave Smith said. "Vail and Ruiz have the ability to win or get second every time they go out there, and they did. I'm so proud of those guys for going out there and running strong. Clay Mayes also ran an outstanding race. He went out there and gave it everything he had. It was just a great overall team performance tonight."

The Cowboys' 19 team points were enough to put them in first place after the first day of competition, with two days remaining in the meet.

Matt Barnes-Smith also competed in the event for the first time this season, finishing in 11th place with a time of 32:09.64.

The Cowboys resume competition Saturday for the second day of the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships (Day 1)

10,000-Meter Run

1 Ryan Vail 30:33.85

2 Alejandro Ruiz 30:38.59

8 Clay Mayes 31:22.58

11 Matt Barnes-Smith 32:09.64

Team Standings (2 of 21 events scored)

1 Oklahoma State - 19 pts.

2 Iowa State - 18 pts.

3 Nebraska - 15 pts.

4 Missouri - 13 pts.

5 Colorado - 7 pts.

6 Kansas State - 3 pts.

7 Texas - 2 pts.

8 Oklahoma - 1 pt.