Saturday, February 27
Geneva, Ohio
All Day
Michigan State University
vs
Big Ten Championships
Beadlescomb Finishes Third at NCAA Track & Field Championship
3/12/2021 10:52:00 PM | Track and Field
All three Spartans competing earn first-team All-American honors.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - One year after the NCAA Track & Field Championships were canceled, three Spartans garnered All-American honors in the first two days of the meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas.Â
"It almost seem like such a long time ago to look back at last year and where we were at and everything that has taken place since. It really says a lot about the resiliency of our athletes to get through that phase and work through the fall and the indoor season, and to come here and be at there best." Interim Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Lisa Breznau said. "I really impressed with all three of them and our coaching staff as well. It is really meaningful to get to this point."
On Friday, junior Rebecca Mammel finished eighth in the weight throw 21.69m. On her third throw of the first round, she put herself in the final with a throw of 21.24m. She placed herself on the podium with her first throw of the finals to capture first-team All-American honors. Mammel is the first Spartan to capture All-American honors in the weight throw since Beth Rohl in 2013.
"Rebecca was phenomenal. I think she grew a lot this weekend, just coming off the indoor conference meet which was great, but she was completely pleased with how it went. This meet, Coach (Lonnie) Pugh's message was come and be at your best and focus on your process. It was a  great start to the meet, and a great start for her first championship," Breznau said.
On Saturday, senior Morgan Beadlescomb set a new Michigan State record with a third-place finish in the 5000m. After returning from illness mid-way through indoor season, Beadlecomb saved his best for last, crossing the finish line with at time of 13:29.96. He broke his own school record time of 13:31.50 set at the Iowa State Classic in 2020. He is just the third Spartan to become an All-American in the 5000m along with Jim Jurcevich and Steve Schell both in 1999.
"Morgan had just an outstanding performance. He ran a brilliant race, staying patience, especially when a couple guys went out at such an aggressive race. He just did what he needed to do and finished really nicely. We are really proud of how managed himself, not only on the track today, but all season. Things are looking really good for Monday, and the outdoor season," Breznau said.
Junior Jenna Magness was the final Spartan to compete in the women's 5000m. She followed the other two Michigan State athletes by earning first-team All-American honors. Magness finished seventh in the tightly-contested race with a time of 15:53.73. The reigning Big Ten Champion was just off her time in that race (15:51.46). She is the first MSU All-American in the 5000m since Nicole Bush in 2008.
"For her first championship, she walked away, really happy with how she competed, and I feel the same. She kept her poise and stayed engaged. That is a hard thing to do when you think about, especially with Jenna, as she has had cross country championship, the conference indoor championship and now this indoor championship. It is a lot to keep emotionally engaged for, so I was really proud of how she hung in there today," Breznau added.
Michigan State now shifts gears and heads to Stillwater, Oklahoma for the NCAA Cross Championships on Monday, March 15. The women's race will begin at 12:50 p.m. ET, followed by the men's race at 1:40 p.m. ET.
NCAA cross country fans will have the opportunity to watch live coverage of the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships on ESPNU or the ESPN App. Live coverage of the NCAA Championships will be available starting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time.
"It almost seem like such a long time ago to look back at last year and where we were at and everything that has taken place since. It really says a lot about the resiliency of our athletes to get through that phase and work through the fall and the indoor season, and to come here and be at there best." Interim Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Lisa Breznau said. "I really impressed with all three of them and our coaching staff as well. It is really meaningful to get to this point."
On Friday, junior Rebecca Mammel finished eighth in the weight throw 21.69m. On her third throw of the first round, she put herself in the final with a throw of 21.24m. She placed herself on the podium with her first throw of the finals to capture first-team All-American honors. Mammel is the first Spartan to capture All-American honors in the weight throw since Beth Rohl in 2013.
"Rebecca was phenomenal. I think she grew a lot this weekend, just coming off the indoor conference meet which was great, but she was completely pleased with how it went. This meet, Coach (Lonnie) Pugh's message was come and be at your best and focus on your process. It was a  great start to the meet, and a great start for her first championship," Breznau said.
On Saturday, senior Morgan Beadlescomb set a new Michigan State record with a third-place finish in the 5000m. After returning from illness mid-way through indoor season, Beadlecomb saved his best for last, crossing the finish line with at time of 13:29.96. He broke his own school record time of 13:31.50 set at the Iowa State Classic in 2020. He is just the third Spartan to become an All-American in the 5000m along with Jim Jurcevich and Steve Schell both in 1999.
"Morgan had just an outstanding performance. He ran a brilliant race, staying patience, especially when a couple guys went out at such an aggressive race. He just did what he needed to do and finished really nicely. We are really proud of how managed himself, not only on the track today, but all season. Things are looking really good for Monday, and the outdoor season," Breznau said.
Junior Jenna Magness was the final Spartan to compete in the women's 5000m. She followed the other two Michigan State athletes by earning first-team All-American honors. Magness finished seventh in the tightly-contested race with a time of 15:53.73. The reigning Big Ten Champion was just off her time in that race (15:51.46). She is the first MSU All-American in the 5000m since Nicole Bush in 2008.
"For her first championship, she walked away, really happy with how she competed, and I feel the same. She kept her poise and stayed engaged. That is a hard thing to do when you think about, especially with Jenna, as she has had cross country championship, the conference indoor championship and now this indoor championship. It is a lot to keep emotionally engaged for, so I was really proud of how she hung in there today," Breznau added.
Michigan State now shifts gears and heads to Stillwater, Oklahoma for the NCAA Cross Championships on Monday, March 15. The women's race will begin at 12:50 p.m. ET, followed by the men's race at 1:40 p.m. ET.
NCAA cross country fans will have the opportunity to watch live coverage of the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships on ESPNU or the ESPN App. Live coverage of the NCAA Championships will be available starting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time.
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