Burrow sets new SWC record
Last weekend, sophomore Andrew Burrow wrote his own chapter in the history of the Southwest Conference. Running in a meet in South Bend, Ind., Burrow won the 800 meters in 1:48.04 and claimed both the Rice and SWC records in the event.
For 14 years, the SWC record had been in the possession of Randy Stephens, who ran a 1:48.62 for the University of Arkansas. Burrow's time qualifies him automatically for the NCAAs, as well as the Olympic trials.
In the same race, freshman Jaime Price provisionally qualified for the NCAAs in 1:49.86.
"Andrew ran an excellent race," Head Coach Ray Davidson said. "The most impressive part is that he ran negative splits; he ran the second half of the race faster than the first half."
The race opened very quickly, as the rabbit -- a runner who starts at a very quick pace -- completed the first 400 in 51 seconds. Burrow was far off the pace at 54.
"We were way back," Price said. "Andrew was actually last. But we kept our composure and turned it on with 300 to go."
Burrow said, "We ran the way we'd talked about it with [Assistant Coach Jon Warren]. I just tried to stay relaxed when the pace went out fast and finish strong."
Warren said, "Andrew looked powerful the whole way through. The leaders just started dying, and he surged to the front. One guy stayed right on his shoulder until the last 150. He locked up with 10 meters to go, which is perfect."
Next up are the USA Indoor Championships. Rice will send a distance-medley and 4x400-relay team.
In two weeks, however, are the NCAAs, in which the Owls expect to send both relay teams, plus two -- Burrow and SWC Indoor Champion Brian Klein -- in the 800.
It will be the first chance for these two teammates to go head-to-head.
Until then, the question remains: Who's faster?
"Me," Klein answers unequivocally. "I'm a beast."
Burrow said, "I think that we're comparable. Whoever runs the best race that day will win."
The young rivalry takes on more significance due to the demise of the SWC. Only two weeks remain in which to challenge Burrow's record.
"Don't worry about that," Klein said. "He'll hold it till March 8. I wish I would have known what the record was at conference because I can run faster. Really though, I cannot be beat."
Burrow responded, "I'm gonna whup his a**."
Both will have to fly at NCAAs where they will encounter George Mason University, whose runners have three of the top four half-mile times this year.
"George Mason runs fast early," Klein said. "At least one of them will be good."
George Mason may be the only school that can compete with Rice for the title of the best 800-meter team. The Owls are undoubtedly the best American team, as all of GMU's half milers are Jamaican.
Rice also expects to run the two relays at NCAAs. The coaches are optimistic that the Owls can score 10-20 points.
But the season has already been a success, not only for Burrow and Klein, but also for Price. His time at South Bend was a personal best by nearly two seconds and faster than any time he ran in high school.
"I would consider it a success for any freshman to run as well as his senior year in high school," Warren said. "To improve by two seconds, and indoors, is excellent."
Price said, "Having been knocked down at conference, I had something to prove to myself. There were a lot of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls in the race, so I knew it would be fast. But I also knew from training that I could run with them. I'm really pleased; these results are getting me excited for outdoors, when I can set new goals."
This item appeared in the Sports section of the March 1, 1996 issue.
Copyright © 1996 The Rice Thresher. All Rights
Reserved.
This document may be distributed
electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety
and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted
without the express written permission of:
The Rice
Thresher, Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, TX 77005-1892, USA.
The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@rice.edu