Runners Make Their Marks

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Cole Sprout became the first Stanford track and field athlete to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, advancing in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA West Prelims on Wednesday at E.B. Cushing Stadium.

Sprout placed ninth in an all-or-nothing race in which the top 12 moved on to Eugene, Oregon, for the June 11-14 nationals. Sprout, a graduate student, was timed in 28:20.82 and made the NCAA Outdoor meet for the second time in his career, having placed fourth in the 10,000 in 2022.

The top 12 had created a large gap from the rest of the field and Sprout was firmly inside the cutoff and only 1.6 seconds from fifth place.

Teammates Lex Young and Thomas Boyden finished 18th and 31st, respectively. Young ran 28:59.09 and Boyden 29:19.59. This was the highest West Prelims placing yet for Young, a sophomore. Young was the top American freshman or sophomore in the race.

Both Young and Boyden have another shot at Eugene as they race in the 5,000 on Friday.

Two Stanford runners advanced in the 1,500. Racing in the first round, Zane Bergen and Lex Young (Leo’s twin) are among 24 in Friday’s quarterfinals. The top five from each of the two heats, plus the next two fastest times, advance to Eugene.

Bergen and Young both advanced by place. Bergen was fifth in Heat 1 in 3:50.59. And Young was fifth in Heat 2 in 3:56.06. In each of the four heats, the top five advanced automatically.

Overall, eight Cardinal men competed on Wednesday, the first of the four-day meet.

Among those whose seasons ended were pole vaulter Garrett Brown, No. 5 on Stanford’s all-time outdoor list, and shot putter Sam Liokumovich, who is No. 3 all-time outdoors for the Cardinal.

The meet continues Thursday with women’s action. Seven Cardinal are scheduled to compete, with NCAA spots on the line in the long jump (Alyssa Jones, Teagan Zwaanstra), shot put (Kaiah Fisher), and 10,000 (Audrey DaDamio).

NCAA West Prelims
At E.B. Cushing Stadium
Wednesday’s Stanford results

Men
1,500 – First round: 16, Zane Bergen 3:50.59Q; 40, Leo Young 3:56.06Q. Bergen and Young advance to Friday’s quarterfinals.
10,000 – Semifinals: 9, Cole Sprout 28:20.82Q; 18, Lex Young 28:59.09; 31, Thomas Boyden 29:19.59. Sprout advances to NCAA Championships.
400 hurdles – 47, Ryce Reynolds 57.46.
Pole vault – 36, Garrett Brown 16-5 ½ (5.02). 
Shot put – 19, Sam Liokumovich 60-0 ¼ (18.29).

Stanford’s Schedule (all times Pacific)

Thursday
2:30 p.m.: Women’s long jump (top 12) – F2: Teagan Zwaanstra; F4: Alyssa Jones.
4 p.m.: Women’s shot put (top 12) – F1: Kaiah Fisher.
4:30 p.m.: Women’s 1,500 first round (top 5 + 4) – H3: Hillary Studdert; H4: Julia Flynn. 
5 p.m.: Women’s 100 first round (top 3 + 6) – H2: Teagan Zwaanstra; H6: Alyssa Jones. 
5:50 p.m.: Women’s 800 first round (top 3 + 6) – H4: Hillary Studdert; H5: Roisin Willis. 
7:10 p.m.: Women’s 10,000 semifinal (top 12) – Audrey DaDamio.

Friday
12:30 p.m.: Men’s triple jump (top 12) – F3: Xavier Drumgoole. 
3:15 p.m.: Men’s 1,500 quarterfinals (top 5 + 2) – H1: Leo Young; H2: Zane Bergen. 
6:10 p.m.: Men’s 5,000 semifinals (top 5 + 2) – H1: Robert DiDonato, Leo Young; H2: Thomas Boyden, James Dargan, Lex Young.

Saturday
11 a.m.: Women’s discus (top 12) – F2: Kaiah Fisher. 
12:30 p.m.: Women’s triple jump (top 12) – F1: Alaysia Oakes.
1:30 p.m: Women’s high jump (top 12) – F2: Alyssa Jones.
3 p.m.: Women’s 4x100 relay quarterfinals (top 3 + 3) – H3: Stanford.
3:15 p.m.: Women’s 1,500 quarterfinals (top 5 + 2).
4:35 p.m.: Women’s 100 quarterfinals (top 3 + 3).
5:05 p.m.: Women’s 800 quarterfinals (top 3 + 3).
6:10 p.m.: Women’s 5,000 semifinals (top 5 + 2).
6:45 p.m.: Women’s 4x400 relay (top 3 + 3) – H2: Stanford.