FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Stanford made a strong bid for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships by running the fifth-fastest time in school history to win the women's distance medley relay at the Razorback Invitational in the fastest time this year.
The Cardinal ran 10:55.89 on the 200-meter banked track at the Randal Tyson Center to edge Arkansas in 10:57.08.
A year ago, the Stanford women's DMR failed to reach the NCAA Championships for the first time since earning five consecutive top-three NCAA finishes in the event from 2014-18. With Friday's performance, Stanford should be among the nation's top 12 teams to earn a berth in the national meet March 13-14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Stanford took the lead from the outset as Ella Donaghu, fresh off a scorching 8:58 in the 3,000 two weeks ago, ran a 3:20.48 opening split over 1,200. Stanford led wire to wire, with Ashlan Best running the 400 in 53.16, Julia Heymach covering the 800 in 2:05.57, and Jessica Lawson covering the final 1,600 in 4:36.69.
In the men's 35-pound weight throw, Stanford sophomore Max McKhann was second with his second personal best in as many meets this season. McKhann threw 64-3 ¼ (19.59m), a PB by more than two feet, on his fifth attempt. McKhann moved up from No. 9 to No. 5 on Stanford's all-time performers' list, jumping Tristen Newman, Carter Wells, Pete Swanson, and Michael Painter.
In the men's DMR, Stanford took fifth in 9:47.05. Brandon McGorty led off for the Cardinal with a 2:58.74 for 1,200, Miles Zoltak ran 48.11 for 400, freshman Matt Rizzo ran 1:51.08 for 800, and DJ Principe ran 4:09.14 for 1,600.
In the men's pole vault, Stanford freshman J.T. Herrscher was third with a season best 16-6 ¾ (5.05m).
The meet continues Saturday with mostly individual running events.
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Razorback Invitational
Friday
Winners and Stanford results
Men
200 – 1, Micaiah Harris (Texas) 20.49; 34, Dorian Simon (Stanford) 22.21; 40, Marcus Floyd (Stanford) 22.53.
Distance medley relay – 1, Oregon 9:24.52; 5, Stanford (Brandon McGorty, Miles Zoltak, Matt Rizzo, DJ Principe) 9:47.05.
Pole vault – 1, Haze Farmer (Georgia) 17-4 ½ (5.30m); 3, J.T. Herrscher (Stanford) 16-6 ¾ (5.05m); 7, Max Manson (Stanford) 15-7 (4.75m).
Weight throw – 1, Colin Echols (Kansas State) 67-6 (20.57m); 2, Max McKhann (Stanford) 64-3 ¼ (19.59m) (PB, No. 5 Stanford AT).
Women
200 – 1, Thelma Davies (LSU) 22.96; 36, Alexa Rossum (Stanford) 24.80; 48, Carolyn Wilson (Stanford) 25.63.
Distance medley relay – 1, Stanford (Ella Donaghu, Ashlan Best, Julia Heymach, Jessica Lawson) 10:55.89 (No. 5 Stanford AT); 7, Stanford 'B' (Kaitlin Ryan, Mary Gillet, Carolyn Wilson, Kristin Fahy) 11:41.68.
High jump – 1, Abigail O'Donoghue (LSU) 6-2 (1.88m); Valerie Przekop (Stanford) NH.
Pole vault – 1, Kayla Smith (Georgia) 14-4 (4.37m); 11, Kaitlyn Merritt (Stanford) 13-0 ¼ (3.97m); 13, Laurel Wong (Stanford) 12-6 ¼ (3.82m).
Long jump – 1, Rhesa Foster (Oregon) 20-9 ¾ (6.34m); 14, Aria Small (Stanford) 18-9 ¾ (5.73m); 23, Yinka Braimah (Stanford) 17-7 (5.36m).
Weight throw – 1, Madi Malone (Auburn) 71-11 (21.92m); 13, Jordan Fong (Stanford) 53-2 ¾ (16.22m); 15, Jaimi Salone (Stanford) 53-1 ½ (16.19m).
