Jan. 28, 2012
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Stanford track teams completed the Razorback Invitational on Saturday with more outstanding results, particularly in the distances where several athletes made their season debuts. Elliott Heath and Chris Derrick paced the Cardinal, both just missing the school record in the 3,000 meters, but earning the NCAA automatic standard.
Heath who did not run cross country because his eligibility had expired put on the Stanford uniform for the first time this year and did not disappoint. The redshirt senior ran 7:50.14, which was not far off the school record of 7:48.79 set by Jonathon Riley back in 2001. It was the fastest time in the nation so far for Heath who won the NCAA title in the event last season. Just behind Heath, and now third all-time at Stanford was Chris Derrick who ran 7:50.18. The NCAA runner-up in cross country appears to be in fine form early in the indoor season.
The Cardinal showed off its depth in the race as the third member of the team went under eight minutes. Brendan Gregg ran 7:58.38 to smash his own personal best and Jake Riley also ran well, coming in at 8:02.25, for a personal best of his own.
In the middle distances, Tyler Stutzman ran personal-best time of 4:01.62 in the mile to pace the Cardinal. Freshman Luke Lefebure also ran well, clocking an 800-meter time of 1:51.25. Earlier in the day, Thomas Mallon ran 1:52.02 and Dylan Ferris ran 1:53.02 in the 800 meters.
In the sprints, Amaechi Morton defeated an outstanding field in the 400 meters, winning with a time of 46.38. The time was just off his personal best, but a fine season debut.
On the women's side, the Cardinal also had some impressive performances in the invitational part of the meet. The Cardinal duo of Kathy Kroeger and Ailsing Cuffe finished 1-2 in the 3,000 meters. Kroeger took the meet title with a time of 9:15.45, while Cuffe was just off her shoulder finishing in 9:15.56. Jessica Tonn also ran well, placing sixth with a time of 9:20.33.
In the mile, freshman Alli Billmeyer debuted with a time of 4:48.23 to finish ninth.
In the sprints, Shataya Hendricks advanced through the rounds to the final where she placed fourth in 7.47. The time was not quite a season best, but an impressive result considering the competition and the rounds that she had to endure.
Also with a top finish in the sprints was Kellie Schueler who placed seventh in the 400 meters with a time of 55.01.
In the 60-meter hurdles, both Kori Carter and Katie Nelms made the final, although each was off their season best finishing with times of 8.44 and 8.57, respectively.
Maybe the most impressive double of the day was Emilie Amaro who won the 3,000 meters in the morning with a time of 9:36.64 and then just two and half hours later came back to finish third in the mile with a time of 4:53.28.
Stanford will be back in action next weekend when it travels to New Mexico for the Lobo Invitational.