The Stanford Invitational Concludes With More Fast Times
May 2, 2008
Stanford Men's All-Time Records
Stanford, Calif.- The Cardinal are set to host one of the premier track meets in the nation this Sunday, May 4, when the host the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational. The meet will take place for the 13th straight year and has become known for producing some of the top times in the world in the distance events each year.
DISTANCE CARNIVALThe Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational is highlighted by the distance carnival, which will feature many of the top distance runners in the country as well as athletes from around the world.
OLYMPIC TRIALS STANDARDSThe top heats of all the distance races (800 meters - 10,000 meters) all include athletes looking to earn the Olympic Trials `A' Standard. An `A' Standard would automatically qualify that athlete to the Olympic Trials. The second heats will include athletes capable of the Olympic Trials `B' Standard, which qualifies runners for the Olympic Trials based on the number of entries needed to supplement the `A' Standards.
MEN TO WATCHThe top section of the 800 meters features two-time Indoor NCAA Champion in the mile, Leonal Manzano of Texas as well as Stanford All-American .
The 1,500 meters will be a loaded field, including Matt Tegenkamp of Nike who owns the third fastest time in the United States in the event. Chris Lukezic of Reebok, Chris Solinsky of Nike, and of Stanford will all be competing having already achieved the Olympic B Standard and looking for the A Standard. Also competing in the 1,500 meters will be Lopez Lamong of Nike who was last year's NCAA Champion in the event.
The World Champion in both the 1,500 and 5,000 meters in 2007, Bernard Lagat will headline the 5,000 meters. Also competing is former U.S. Olympian Abdi Abdirahman as well as several former and current collegiate All-Americans.
In the Kim McDonald Memorial 10,000 meters Galen Rupp will be back to defend his title. Rupp's time of 27:33.48 at last year's Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational was an Olympic `A' Standard.
WOMEN TO WATCHThe 800 meters is highlighted by a pair of California runners, Alysia Johnson and Mackenzie Pierce who are both ranked in the in the top-15 on the U.S. list.
The 1,500 meters will have a Stanford flavor with current and former Cardinal competing. Current Stanford All-Americans and will go up against former Stanford NCAA Champion . Follmar will be returning from her nasty fall at the Penn Relays that garnered national media attention when she picked herself up off the track and finished her leg of the distance medley relay despite being spiked in the head.
The 5,000 meters will also have plenty of Stanford ties when former Stanford greats, and go after the Olympic Standards. Also in the 5,000 meters will be current Stanford All-American who returns for her fist track meet of the season.
The Kim McDonald 10,000 meters includes several of the top long distance runners in the nation. Last year's champion Jennifer Rhines will face fierce competition from collegiate record holder Sally Kipyego of Texas Tech as well as Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher of Nike. Also in the 10,000 meters will be former Stanford great Alicia Shay who now runs for Saucony.
ATTENDANCEThe Payton Jordan Invitational begins at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4 and is free to the public. Parking outside the track will also be free and available on a first come first serve basis.
VIDEOThe meet will be streamed live by Flotrack. There coverage is available . Runnerspace.com will also be providing coverage including a blog as well as uploading videos of every race. The videos of the top races should be available soon after each race is complete, while others will take longer. Their coverage is available .
