April 27, 2005
Cardinal Invitational
Sunday, May 1, 2005, Cobb Track & Angell Field
Stanford Unniversity
Field Events - 3:00 p.m.
Running Events - 5:20 p.m.
Stanford, Ca - In its tenth year the Cardinal Invitational has developed into one of the premier track and field meets of the outdoor season. Each May, college and elite level athletes gather at Cobb Track and Angell Field with intentions of achieving qualifying marks for the season's remaining championship meets. Today's meet features many of the top collegiate and post-collegiate athletes from around the world. In 2005, the stakes will again be high as many of the athletes competing today will attempt to achieve the `A' qualifying standards for USA Track & Field, and the IAAF. In addition, many collegiate athletes, including several from Stanford, will have their eyes set on the standards for the NCAA Regional Championships. Hundreds of international stars and top collegiate athletes are scheduled to compete before an anticipated large Cobb Track and Angell Field stadium assuring top performances in virtually every event.
A yearly highlight of the Cardinal Invitational is the men's and women's Kim McDonald Memorial 10,000 meters. In 2002 at Cobb Track & Angell Field, Deena Drossin ran an American record time of 30:52.32 crushing Lynn Jennings' previous record of 31:19.89. Japan's Yoko Shibui won the race in a Japanese record time of 30:48.89. The times by Shibui and Drossin were the third and fourth fastest in the world in 2002. In 2001, Meb Keflezighi set an American record (27:13.98) in the men's 10,000 meters at the Cardinal Invitational and race winner Abraham Chebii of Kenya ran the fastest 10,000 meters ever on American soil with a time of 27:04.20. In 2003, Alan Culpepper took top honors in the men's Kim McDonald Memorial 10,000 meters with a U.S. leading time of 27:41.90.
This year's Kim McDonald Memorial men's 10,000 meters is projected to be the best race at that distance in North America this year. The field is loaded with Olympic-caliber athletes including Reid Coolsaet, Christian Belz, Monder Rizki, Craig Mottram, Terukazu Omori, Boaz Cheboiywo, Takayuki Matsumiya, Matt Gonzales, Simon Bairu and Stanford senior Ian Dobson.
Jen Rhines of the United States leads the list of entries in tonight's Kim McDonald Memorial women's 10,000 meters. Rhines, who hails from Saint Davids, Pa, was a 2004 Olympian in the marathon. Rhines also finished fifth in the 5,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Rhines' resume is sparkling. Her list of accomplishments also includes winning the 2002 USA 10,000 meter title, and a three-time NCAA 5,000 meter outdoor champion. Rhines, a graduate of Villanova, made the 2000 U.S. Olympic team in the 10,000 meters. Also look for outstanding performances from such standouts as Elva Dryer, Katie McGregor and Amy Rudolph. Dryer finished second at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials and her effort gained her a berth to the Athens Olympics. McGregor was a three-time NCAA champion and a nine-time All-American in cross country and track at the University of Michigan.
Another highlight of the evening will be the women's 5000 meters where the list of runners is outstanding. Leading the list of entries are several Americans including Carrie Tollefson and Elva Dryer. All these names can be found annually near the top of the U.S. rankings in the distance events. Culpepper is a two-time Olympian who captured first place in the 5,000 meters at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials. Tollefson, a five-time NCAA champion, gained a berth on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team with a first place finish in the 1,500 meters at the Olympic Trials, and also finished sixth in the 5,000 meters.
Lauren Fleshman will headline a quality field in the 1,500 meters. Fleshman was a five-time NCAA champion at Stanford, including three consecutive NCAA titles in the 5000 meters from 2001-03. Fleshman won 14 All-American honors during her tenure at Stanford.
The men's 5,000 meters will be equally awesome with the likes of Abdi Abdirahman, Jorge Torres, and former Stanford All-American Jonathon Riley. Abdirahman has established himself as one of the top U.S. 10,000 meter runners. At last year's Cardinal Invitational, Abdirahman set a new personal 10,000 meter best (27:34.24). His time was the second fastest 10,000 meter time by an American in 2004. Torres, who hails from the University of Colorado, won the 2002 NCAA cross country championship, and the 2002 NCAA outdoor 5,000 meter title. Riley was a 15-time All-American and three-time NCAA champion at Stanford.
Stanford University has been a significant contributor to the U.S. Olympic team. Several of those Olympians from Stanford are entered in competition tonight. The list includes Jonathon Riley in the 5,000 meters and Gabe Jennings in the 1,500 meters.
Jennings is expected to be joined in the 1,500 meter field by Graham Wood, one of the top runners from Canada, Juan-Luis Barrios from Mexico, Josh Spiker from Wisconsin and Donald Sage from Stanford.
The women's 800 meters has an outstanding field which will include Frances Santin (2:00.84). The men's 800 meters field includes Julius Achon, Achraf Tadili and Ismail Ahmed.
Field Events
3:00 p.m. - Women's Hammer
3:00 p.m. - Women's Javelin
4:00 p.m. - Men's Hammer
4:00 p.m. - Women's Shot Put
4:00 p.m. - Men's Pole Vault
Women's Pole Vault will follow conclusion of Men's Pole Vault
4:30 p.m. - Women's Long Jump
5:00 p.m. - Women's Discus
5:00 p.m. - Women's High Jump
Men's High Jump will follow conclusion of Women's High Jump
5:00 p.m. - Men's Shot Put
6:15 p.m. - Men's Discus
Running Events
5:20 p.m. - Women's 100 Meter Hurdles
5:30 p.m. - Men's 110 Meter Hurdles
5:40 p.m. - Men's 100 Meters
5:45 p.m. - Women's 100 Meters
5:50 p.m. - Men's 400 Meters
5:55 p.m. - Women's 400 Meters
6:05 p.m. - Men's 400 Meter Hurdles
6:15 p.m. - Men's 200 Meters
6:20 p.m. - Women's 200 Meters
6:25 p.m. - Women's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase
6:40 p.m. - Men's 800 Meters
6:50 p.m. - Women's 800 Meters
7:00 p.m. - Men's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase (Section B)
7:15 p.m. - Men's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase (Top Section)
7:30 p.m. - Women's 1,500 Meters (2 Sections)
7:45 p.m. - Men's 1,500 Meters (2 sections)
8:15 p.m. - Men's 5,000 Meters (Section B)
8:35 p.m. - Men's 5,000 Meters (Top Section)
8:55 p.m. - Men's Kim McDonald Memorial 10,000 Meters
9:30 p.m. - Women's 5,000 Meters
9:50 p.m. - Women's Kim McDonald Memorial 10,000 Meters
10:35 p.m. - Men's 10,000 Meters (Section B)
Cardinal Catalogue
Stanford will send a large contingent of athletes to the Penn Relays (Thursday-Saturday) in Philadelphia ... The list includes Jakki Bailey, Sara Bei, Russell Brown, Maura Burk, Joaquin Chapa, Janice Davis, Evan Fox, Ashley Freeman, Michael Garcia, Curtis Goehring, Nashonme Johnson, Lauren Jespersen, Arianna Lambie, Erica McLain, Christine Moschella, Laura Mottaz, Feranmi Okanlami, Wopamo Osaisai, Ashley Purnell, Justin Romaniuk, Nick Sebes, Amanda Trotter, Katy Trotter and Solomon Welch.
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