Stanford's Elliott Heath leads 25 men under 14 minutes in 5000 at Flotrack Husky Classic...
Combined with the other sections, 25 men ducked under 14 minutes Friday night.
Oklahoma's Kevin Schwab did most of the early pacesetting, but with three laps to go, the field broke down to a group of five, led by Leonard Korir of Iona and Stephen Sambu of Arizona.
Heath, who had been tucked around third or fourth over the final laps, made his decisive move on the backstretch at the east end of the Dempsey, putting on a burst that surprised the opposition.
Heath cruised to victory in 13:37.77, with Korir second in 13:40.62, and Sambu, a former NJCAA champ third in 13:41.57.
Heath's mark is currently the second fastest collegiate time behind Liberty's Sam Chelanga's 13:37.55 on January 28th.
In the women's 5000, Tennessee's Jackie Areson pulled away from Oregon's Alex Kosinski to win the fastest section of the 4-section race, clocking 15:39.81 to lead six women under 16 minutes, and nab the fastest collegiate time in the country.
In a notable performance, Western Washington's Sarah Porter won section 3 of the 5000, defeating Bellingham native Bronwyn Crossman of Oregon 16:11.98 to 16:13.73, a school record for Porter, and the second fastest time in NCAA division 2 behind Shippenburg's Neely Spence.
Action really heats up at the Flotrack Husky Classic, beginning at 8 am Saturday.
Results from day one of the Flotrack Husky Classic are available here.
Media partner Flotrack goes live on the web beginning at 2:15 pm pacific time.
As an update to our earlier story previewing the meet, the men's shot put will feature rising star Cory Martin, as the former Auburn University standout takes aim at the current world leading mark in the event of 69-11 (21.31m) set by Ryan Whiting in winning the Millrose Games a fortnight ago.
Also, we've found out that former Oregon standout Nicole Blood will be added to the field, most likely in the mile...as they say, stay tuned!
LAGAT AIMING FOR AMERICAN RECORD IN TWO-MILE SATURDAY
Meanwhile in New York, Bernard Lagat will try to complete his set of American indoor records in a two-mile race at the Armory.
"Can Bernard put another feather in his cap and the exclamation point on his place as one of America’s all-time greats with another record run?” asked New York Road Runners CEO Mary Wittenberg. “His mastery of every distance from 1500 meters to 5000 meters is unmatched and a reflection of his work ethic, career longevity, and talent.”
"I’m really excited to take on ‘the deuce’ in New York,” said Lagat. “I’ve always wanted to take a run at Doug (Padilla)’s record (of 8:15.02, set in 1990), but I’ve never had the chance. Thanks to both New York Road Runners and the Armory for staging the race. I’m both fit and motivated, and I hope I can get that record. Then I’ll have the 'full set' from 1500 meters to 5000 meters."
NYRR is putting up a $10,000 bonus for any American man who wins the race and breaks the national record.
The NYRR Deuce Record Challenge race will be the featured attraction of the NYRR Saturday Night at the Armory III collegiate meet at the New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory on its state-of-the-art 200-meter track.
NOTE: The New York Road Runners contributed to this report.
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