COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Stanford men completed competition at the NCAA West Prelims on Friday at E.B. Cushing Stadium with two more qualifiers for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Freshman triple jumper Xavier Drumgoole and sophomore 1,500-meter runner Leo Young joined Cole Sprout, who qualified Wednesday in the 10,000, as Stanford’s male representatives for the NCAA meet at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on June 11-14.
With Alyssa Jones in the women’s long jump, Stanford’s overall qualifying count is four going into the final day of the four-day meet with women’s finals on Saturday.
Drumgoole unleashed a 2 ½-foot personal record of 53-10 ½ (16.42 meters) to finish third in the triple jump and easily was among the top 12 to advance to nationals.
Young earned his first appearance at an NCAA track and field championship meet by placing fifth in his section and fifth overall, running 3:40.35.
Seven Cardinal men competed Friday. Of the non-qualifiers, Lex Young came closest, placing 19th overall in the 5,000 in 13:47.13. As was the case when he placed 18th in the 10,000 on Wednesday, Lex Young was the top finisher among American underclassmen.
However, Stanford's streak of 15 consecutive seasons with an NCAA men's outdoor 5,000 qualifier ended.
Drumgoole was seeded 24th of 48 going into the meet and was placed in the third of four flights. The leading mark through the first two flights was 51-6 ½ (15.70) by Houston’s Caleb Malbrough, but that mark was blown away quickly once the third flight began.
That flight’s second jumper, Kansas State freshman Selva Prabhu, traveled 54-1 ¼ (16.49) to assume the lead. Later, in the same round, Drumgoole unleashed his 53-10 ½.
Oklahoma’s Brandon Green Jr. took the lead in the fourth round with his winning effort of 55-7 (16.94), but Drumgoole far exceeded his seeding by placing third.
Drumgoole broke Stanford’s oldest freshman record, one that stood since 1970. That mark was 52-3 (15.93) by Allen Meredith. Drumgoole now is No. 2 in Stanford history, behind only Keyshawn King, whose 2022 outdoor mark of 55-0 ¼ (16.77) remains the school’s absolute record.
In a tight 1,500 quarterfinal, Young was third at the bell. Though he was overtaken by two others on the final lap, he closed with a 55.44 to overtake Reuben Reina of Arkansas for the fifth and final automatic qualifying spot in the race. The top five finished within 0.56 of each other and the two timed qualifiers came from that section as well.
The meet concludes Saturday with seven individuals and two relay teams competing for the Cardinal women.
NCAA West Prelims
At E.B. Cushing Stadium
Friday’s Stanford results
Men
1,500 – 5, Leo Young 3:40.35; 23, Zane Bergen 3:51.95. Young advances to NCAA Championships.
5,000 – 19, Lex Young 13:47.13; 36, Leo Young 14:07.12; 38, James Dargan 14:10.98; 44, Robert DiDonato 14:34.47; Thomas Boyden DNF.
Triple jump – 3, Xavier Drumgoole 53-10 ½ (16.42) (PB; No. 2 Stanford AT; Stanford frosh record). Drumgoole advances to NCAA Championships.
Stanford’s Schedule (all times Pacific)
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.
4:35 p.m.: Women’s 100 quarterfinals (top 3 + 3) – H2: Alyssa Jones.
5:05 p.m.: Women’s 800 quarterfinals (top 3 + 3) – H3: Roisin Willis.
6:10 p.m.: Women’s 5,000 semifinals (top 5 + 2) – S1: Audrey DaDamio, Sophia Kennedy; S2: Zofia Dudek.
6:45 p.m.: Women’s 4x400 relay (top 3 + 3) – H2: Stanford.