Abda, Pachuta Top Seeds in NCAA 800m

When University of Minnesota half-milers Harun Abda and David Pachuta take their marks at this weekend's NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, they'll do so as the #1 and #2-ranked runners in the 800-meter field.

Abda, at 1:46.97, and Pachuta, at 1:46.98, are the fastest qualifiers among the 15-runner field which also includes teammate Travis Burkstrand, the #11 seed.

Abda, a Fridley High School graduate, and Pachuta, an Eastview alum, clocked their marks at Iowa State's over-sized oval in January. Berkstrand, another Eastview alum, qualified last weekend at Notre Dame with a 1:48.16 clocking.

In all, seven Gophers will make the trip to suburban Boise for the NCAA Championships: Hassan Mead is the #5 seed in the 5000-meters, Micah Hegerle is the #5 seed in the weight throw.

Kevin Bradley and John Holton will join Abda and Pachuta on Minnesota's #8-seeded 4 x 400m relay team.

Last season, Abda finished 5th in the NCAA Indoor 800m, running 1:49.51. The top returnees from 2011 are Texas A&M's Michael Preble, 3rd last year and the #5 seed in 2012, and Iowa's Erik Sowinski, 4th a year ago and the #6 seed.

NCAA Indoor action gets underway on Friday.

Find complete NCAA entry lists HERE (men) and HERE (women).

Handy links to information on all three NCAA Indoor Championships being contested this weekend can be found HERE.