May 3, 2009
Race Footage and Interviews From FlotrackRace Footage and Interviews From Runnerspace
Stanford, Calif. - On a day that honored former Stanford track coach Payton Jordan, the Stanford track and field team performed in a way that the late legend of the sport would have appreciated. The Cardinal shattered records on their way to an impressive Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational from Cobb Track and Angell Field.
Nobody was more impressive than Stanford freshman Chris Derrick who highlighted the meet by shattering the American Junior Record in the 5,000 meters with a time of 13:29.98. Derrick battled with Oklahoma State freshman German Fernandez before pushing the pace over the final three laps to create the necessary gap. Fernandez also ran under the old record of 13:37.91 set by 2008 U.S. Olympian Galen Rupp. Both Derrick and Fernandez are still considered juniors because they will not turn 20 in 2009.
The time for Derrick was also the sixth fastest in school history with four of the five ahead of him on the all-time list being former Olympians for the Cardinal. It is also the fifth-fastest time in the NCAA so far this year.
Garrett <!>Heath |
Also running well in the 5,000 meters was Hakon DeVries who set a personal best and achieved the regional standard with a time of 14:03.64
Garrett Heath also set a big personal best in the 1,500 meters with a time of 3:37.57. Heath finished fifth with two collegiate runners ahead of him. The three collegiate times were the fastest in the NCAA this year. Heath who is already a two-time All-American in the 1,500 meters, also moved up to fifth all-time on the Stanford list.
Also running well in the second heat of the 1,500 meters were Elliott Heath and Jacob Evans. The younger Heath set a personal best and achieved the regional standard with his time of 3:43.10. Evans just missed his personal best with a time of 3:44.34.
In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Chris Mocko set a huge personal best and achieved the regional standard with a time of 8:50.30 to finish fourth in the second heat. The time was the eighth fastest in Stanford history. Also with a personal best was JT Sullivan who finished fifth with a time of 8:51.74. His time was the 10th fastest in Stanford history. In his debut in the event, Benjamin Johnson finished 16th with a time of 9:10.05.
Competing in the final race of the evening, Jacob Riley finished with a personal best of 28:46.84 in the 10,000 meters. Riley just missed the NCAA automatic standard, but improved his provisional standard by 29 seconds.
In the shorter distances, Amaechi Morton led the way by winning both the 400-meter hurdles in a time of 50.23 and the open 400 meters with a time of 47.23.
Leading Stanford in the field events was Daniel Schaerer in the discus. His toss of 199-4 was a personal best, a regional standard and the second all-time on the Stanford discus list. Also achieving a regional standard was Geoffrey Tabor in the shot put with a mark of 55-3.
Lauren<!> Centrowitz |
On the women's side Stanford was led by Lauren Centrowitz who tied the Stanford school record in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:10.42. Centrowitz tied the record of Malindi Elmore set back in 2003. In a field with mostly professionals, Centrowitz hung with the main pack throughout the race and finished just behind former Texas Tech star and nine-time NCAA Champion Sally Kipyego. The time by Centrowitz was also the third fastest in the NCAA this season so far.
In the second heat of the 1,500 meters, Alicia Follmar and Laurynne Chetelat achieved the regional standard. Follmar used a great last lap to surge to the front of the field and win the heat. She just missed her personal best with her time of 4:17.63. Chetelat finished with a time of 4:20.68 in her debut at 1,500 meters.
In the 5,000 meters, Kate Niehaus achieved the regional standard with a time of 16:19.20 The time was a 28 second personal best for the Stanford junior who finished second in the second section of the event. Also with personal bests in the race were Stephanie Marcy with a time of 16:27.90 and Georgia Griffin with a time of 16:30.00.
In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, freshman Emilie Amaro continued her strong season with a personal best of 10:11.68. The time improved her regional standard and was the fourth fastest in Stanford history. Also with personal bests in the second heat were Madeleine O'Meara with a time of 10:30.87 and Claire Collison with a time of 11:04.89.
The distance runners were not the only top performances of the day. Idara Otu set a personal best and achieved the regional standard in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 59.50. Also with a personal best and a regional standard was Griffin Matthew in the 200 meters with a time of 23.59. The time for Otu puts her fourth on the all-time Stanford list in the 400 hurdles, while Matthew's mark places her fifth on the all-time 200 list.
In the field events the Cardinal were led by Michaela Wallerstedt who set a personal best and achieved the regional standard in the shot put with a throw of 52-8. She is fifth on the all-time Stanford shot put list. Also performing well was Jaynie Goodbody who achieved the regional standard in the hammer throw with a toss of 192-10.
The completion of the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational ends both the regular season and the home season for Stanford. The Cardinal will now prepare for the Pac-10 Championships from Eugene, Ore., on May 16-17. The Pac-10 Multi-Event Championships will be next weekend, May 9-10, also from Eugene.