EUGENE, Ore. – As Stanford opened the four-day NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Wednesday at Hayward Field, Cole Sprout closed his collegiate career.
The Stanford graduate student, in his fifth year with the Cardinal, placed 12th in the 10,000-meter final, earning second-team All-America honors for his sixth All-America honor overall.
During his career, Sprout was a three-time first-team track All-American, led Stanford to three Pac-12 and three NCAA West Region cross-country titles, was named Academic All-American, and broke the Stanford indoor 3,000 record.
He was among two Cardinal men in action Wednesday. In the 1,500 semifinals, Stanford sophomore Leo Young was eighth overall, but also eighth in his race, running 3:42.57. Young was one place – and 0.26 seconds – from advancing on time. However, Young also earned second-team All-America honors – his first All-America honor.
In the 10,000, Sprout remained connected with the large main pack, even as the pace sped up over the final two kilometers of the race. In 19th with three laps to go, Sprout moved up on the backstretch and continued to stay connected while in 13th place at the bell.
Though Sprout was unable to maintain that connection during a ferocious final lap, in which the leaders closed in 53 and 54 seconds, he had a target in Navy’s Murphy Smith and ran him down with 100 meters left to secure 12th in 29:18.13. Sprout’s final lap was his fastest – 1:01.85 seconds.
“I was a little bummed I didn’t have that extra gear, because I was right there and felt pretty strong,” Sprout said. “But they just had a little bit extra. I felt good that I tapped in and didn’t feel like I died.”
It was a positive ending for Sprout, who was returning to the NCAA Outdoor meet for the first time since 2022 after battling injuries. Sprout, who will walk at graduation Sunday with a master’s in computer science, is essentially the last of the old guard – alongside NCAA champs and former Cardinal Charles Hicks ’23 and Ky Robinson ’24.
“At this point, in retrospect, it’s a privilege to have experienced the full spectrum of the sport,” Sprout said. “It’s a privilege to be out here and battle through injury, and come back, prove that you can come back after having a bit of adversity in the sport.
“I’ve had the privilege to be out here on an elite stage and compete against some really incredible runners and rub shoulders with guys like Charles and Ky and the whole Stanford crew. I’m beyond grateful for my experience.”
The next generation of Stanford runners is epitomized by Leo Young. The sophomore and twin of fellow Cardinal Lex Young lead a strong group of underclassmen who represent the Cardinal future.
In his first NCAA track and field championship meet, Young nearly reached the final, but was caught in a bad position down the stretch was unable to overcome it.
That leaves one more Stanford men’s athlete in the meet. Freshman triple jumper Xavier Drumgoole competes on Friday.
The women’s competition begins Thursday and features long jumper Alyssa Jones, the 2023 NCAA outdoor runner-up. She also competes in the 4x100 relay on Thursday, plus the high jump on Saturday.
NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
At Hayward Field
Wednesday’s Stanford results
Men
1,500 semifinals – 8, Leo Young (Stanford) 3:42.57.
10,000 final – 1, Ishmael Kipkurui (New Mexico) 29:07.70; 12, Cole Sprout (Stanford) 29:18.13.
Stanford’s NCAA Schedule
Thursday
4:05 p.m.: Women’s 4x100 relay semifinal (top 2 + 3) – Stanford.
5:40 p.m.: Women’s long jump final – Alyssa Jones.
5:58 p.m.: Women’s 800 semifinal (top 2 + 3) – Roisin Willis.
Friday
5:10 p.m.: Men’s triple jump final – Xavier Drumgoole.
Saturday
5:30 p.m.: Women’s high jump final – Alyssa Jones.
6:02 p.m.: Women’s 4x100 relay final.
7:14 p.m.: Women’s 800 final.
7:55 p.m.: Women’s 5,000 final – Zofia Dudek, Sophia Kennedy.