Track championships have Colorado flavor

Eight athletes with Colorado ties have been named to the U.S. roster for the world track championships in Osaka, Japan, later this month.

Former University of Colorado athlete Kara Goucher was chosen to run for the United States in the women's 10,000, along with former Alamosa resident Deena Kastor.

CU athlete Jenny Barringer (women's 3,000 steeplechase) was chosen, along with former Buffaloes runners Adam Goucher (men's 5,000) and Dathan Ritzenhein (men's 10,000).

Former Adams State athlete Zoila Gomez (women's marathon), former Air Force Academy athlete Dana Pounds (women's javelin) and Aurora resident Kevin Eastler (20-kilometer and 50K race walks) were also chosen for the squad, which will compete Aug. 25 to Sept. 2.

CARNEY SEVENTH Boulder resident James Carney finished seventh at the Falmouth (Mass.) Road Race, finishing the seven- mile run in 32:45.

Former CU athlete Edwardo Torres finished 12th among the men, and former CU runner Sara Slattery finished sixth in the women's portion.

MARSHALL, ARNOLD HONORED CU forward Nikki Marshall and Texas A&M goalie Kristin Arnold, a Cherry Creek High School graduate, have been named to the preseason All-Big 12 women's soccer team.

The CU women's soccer team was picked to finish third in the league in a poll of league coaches.

At other state colleges:

• Fort Lewis middle blocker Nicole Schwab, a Loveland High School graduate, was named the preseason volleyball offensive player of the year in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Mesa State defensive specialist Ashley Loftsgard, a Middle Park High School graduate, was named the RMAC preseason defensive player of the year.

Western State's Amy Thompson, a Cheyenne East High School graduate, took preseason setter honors.

• Tracy Tripp has been promoted to associate head coach of the University of Denver women's basketball team, Pioneers coach Pam Tanner announced.

• Denver Christian High School graduate Chelsea LeFebre, guard Alyssa Benson, of Minnetonka, Minn., and San Diego State transfer Chelsea Williamson have signed letters of intent to play women's basketball at Metro State.

• Wheat Ridge High School graduate Adam Salzman has signed a letter of intent to compete in the decathlon for the CU track team.