Sam Tanner wins New Zealand 3000m title Saturday...
Tanner, who is taking UW classes this quarter online because of the COVID-19 pandemic, took the field of 21 athletes through the first 400 meters in about mid-64 seconds, and led through the 1200 before yielding the lead, as he crossed the 1600 mark in 4:20, and 1800 (3 laps to go) in 4:52.
The field went through 2000 meters in 5:24, with Tanner comfortably in the back of a group of seven that broke away early.
As the field entered the home straight for the penultimate time, Tanner swung wide, and took the lead at the bell, and never relinquished it, running just over 54 seconds for the last 400 to take the victory in a personal best 7:54.16 (previous 8:27.76 in 2019), currently the fastest time in the world outdoors so far in this young season.
“We all worked together to push hard and the first few laps set us on a nice path to running a quick time. I didn’t really have a plan for the last 400m, I just thought I would run the first four laps and see how I felt. I was stoked with how it turned out,” said Tanner to Athletics New Zealand.
To put some perspective on Tanner's performance, had he run it indoors, would be the seventh fastest time in UW history (the 3000 is rarely run outdoors during the collegiate season).
He will run the mile in their national championships next Saturday in Whanganui.
Courtesy of Athletics New Zealand and Sky Sport Next, here's the race (fast forward to 3:13:00 to get the men's 3000).
Incoming Husky freshman thrower Kaia Tupu-South finished third in the women's shot put, throwing 49-1.5 (14.97m), and third in the discus at 160-3 (48.85m).
The Athletics New Zealand recap of the meet is available here.
AMERICAN TRACK LEAGUE INDOOR SERIES BEGINS SUNDAY...
The American Track League begins its nationally televised four-meet indoor series Sunday at the Randal Tyson Track Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
As part of the World Athletics Silver Tour, the American Track League offers an opportunity for professional athletes to return to competition in preparation for an Olympic year. Each of the American Track League meets, organized by Doyle Sports Management and hosted by Arkansas, will have a two-hour broadcast on ESPN/ESPN2 to showcase performances.
Sunday's meet will be shown on ESPN starting at noon, Pacific time.
Former Pullman resident Katie Nageotte and her training partner, 2019 West Seattle HS graduate Chloe Cunliffe are in the women's pole vault field.
Chloe's older sister Hannah was originally listed on the start list in the women's 60, but in a text to publisher Paul Merca, Hannah has elected to open her season next week at the second ATL indoor meet.
The University of Arkansas' release is available here, while the start list and link to live results are available here.
NOTE: Athletics New Zealand, the sports information office of the University of Arkansas and the American Track League contributed to this report.
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