SEATTLE, Wash. – With many competing for the first time since last spring, Stanford began its indoor season Saturday with many impressive showings against a strong field at the UW Preview at Washington's Dempsey Indoor.
The Cardinal was represented by 29 men and 26 women in the debut of J.J. Clark, the Franklin P. Jones Director of Track and Field, and his staff.
Stanford produced two overall winners in Aria Small and Max McKhann. Small captured the women's triple jump with a mark of 12.19 meters, while McKhann claimed the men's weight throw with a heave of 62-01.75 (18.94 meters), the ninth-longest in program history.
"We had good performances on both sides," Clark said. "The team's energy was high and they had good focus. It's still early but a good start."
On the men's side, Thomas Ratcliffe finished fifth in the mile with a time of 4:00.4, while Alex Ostberg took seventh (4:00.59).
Max Manson garnered third in the pole vault (5.21 meters), and Sam Liokumovich picked up fifth in the shot put (16.69 meters).
"Max winning his weight and Max jumping 17-1 in his first meet were highlights for the men's," said Clark. "Ratcliffe and Ostberg were right on the edge of breaking the majestical 4:00 mile barrier. All were nationally ranked marks."
Devin Hart garnered a third-place showing in the 3,000 meters in his first collegiate meet with a time 8:02.47, third-fastest in the nation.
On the women's side, Julia Heymach finished second in the 1,000 meters in 2:54.36 and teammate Kaitlin Ryan placed eighth (2:54.67).
In the 3000 meters, Ella Donaghu finished second in 8:58.305, only six hundreths of a second out of first. Her time was the best of any collegiate, ranks first nationally, and was the second fastest in program history.
in the mile, Jessica Lawson (4:37.64) and Rebecca Story (4:52.80) secured fourth and 10th, respectively. Lawson finished as the top collegian and holds the No. 1 time in the country.
In the 400 meter dash, Ashlan Best was second in 53.69, the fourth fastest time in program history, while Carolyn Wilson nabbed third (55.15).
In the pole vault, Kaitlyn Merritt and Erika Malaspina finished second and third, respectively.
"Jessica and Ella ran top national marks that should advance them to the NCAA Championships," Clark said. "Ashlan opened up with a quality 400 and 200, showing her national class abilities. Our vaulters and jumpers are in position to make a big impact as well."
Stanford returns to competition on Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Live results will be available at GoStanford.com.
