Ex Husky Sam Tanner nipped at line at New Balance GP; Wil Smith becomes first Zag under 4...
BOSTON--Former Washington Husky Sam Tanner (Paul Merca photo) was this close to pulling off the victory in the mens mile at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix Saturday afternoon at the track AT new balance in front of a capacity crown at the newly built indoor facility.
Tanner, who traveled some 20 hours from New Zealand and nearly 90 degree weather to Boston and 5 degrees with a sharp wind chill that permeated the entire New England region, took the lead after pacer Erik Sowinski stepped off the track past the half mile mark, which he crossed in 1:55.30.
The paced slowed slightly at the 1320 mark, which he went through in 2:55.42, before he tried to open up the gap on the rest of the field.
He opened up on the rest of the field, except that former Nike Oregon TC runner Neil Gourley made a late charge on the outside to catch Tanner at the line, taking the win in 3:52.84 to 3:52.85.
UW volunteer coach Sam Prakel was third in 3:53.58, with Johnny Gregorek fifth in 3:53.99. Former Husky Cruz Culpepper was ninth in 4:02.08.
In the men's 3000, current Husky Brian Fay tested himself against a professional field, taking sixth in 7:43.85, a new personal best, and just short of the UW school record set by teammate Kieran Lumb of 7:43.27 a few weeks ago.
University of Portland alum Woody Kincaid, fresh off setting a new American record in the 5000 meters, took the win in 7:40.71.
Former Pullman resident Katie Moon finished sixth in the women's pole vault in her first competition of the 2023 season, clearing 14-7.25 (4.45m). Rising star Bridget Williams won in a personal best of 15-7.75 (4.77m).
Kyle Langford of the Brooks Beasts also opened up his season at the New Balance meet, finishing sixth in the 800 in 1:47.73, in a race won by Mariano Garcia of Spain in 1:45.26.
Langford, who opened up his 2023 campaign at the New Balance meet, said that he got sick a few weeks ago, hindering his training.
The New Balance Grand Prix is the first of two World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meets in the United States, with the next meet scheduled for next week in New York at the Millrace Games.
Across town at the Boston University Track and Tennis Center, Washington's Carley Thomas broke her own school record in the 800, as she finished second overall at the second day of the Bruce Lehane Scarlet & White Invitational.
Thomas, who ran a 2:01.93 split in the distance medley relay that broke the collegiate record the night before, ran 2:02.15 to finish second to Sarah Hendrick of Kennesaw State, who ran 2:02.00.
The Australian improved her previous school record time of 2:02.75, set in New York three years ago.
Marlena Preigh improved on her number 2 ranking in school history, moving her personal best to 2:03.75, 1.2 seconds better than the mark she set earlier this season.
Freshman Chloe Foerster improved her season best to 2:05.87 to finish 12th overall.
In the mile, Husky volunteer coach Alli Cash was third overall with a time of 4:31.40, while Anna Gibson ran a non altitude converted personal best of 4:33.46 to finish fifth. Sophie O"Sullivan was ninth in 4:39.85.
WIL SMITH BREAKS THE 4-MINUTE MILE AT WSU INVITATIONAL...
In Spokane, Wil Smith (photo courtesy Gonzaga Athletics) became the first Gonzaga runner to break 4 minutes in the mile to win the featured event at the WSU Invitational at The Podium Saturday.
Racing against The Podium facility record holder Duncan Hamilton of Montana State, Smith put on a burst on the last 100 meters of the race, pulling away from Hamilton as soon as they entered the final straightaway to win in 3:59.36.
Hamilton, who broke 4 minutes at The Podium last year, dipped under 4, running 3:59.75.
Eastern Washington's Hally Ruff won yet another jump off, clearing 13-3.75 (4.06m) after being tied with Alex Hellenburg at 12-10 (3.91m), then missing all three attempts at 13-3.75 before needing a fourth attempt to break the tie.
Zach Klobutcher of Eastern Washington continued his winning ways, taking the men's invitational pole vault at 17-0 (5.18m).
Other significant winners at the WSU Invitational included Cougar alum Emmanuel Wells in the men's 60 (6.66); WSU's Maribel Caicedo in the 60 hurdles (8.17); the Cougars' Ronald Grueso Mosqquera in the shot put (60-10.5/18.55m); and Eastern's Bobby Say in the triple jump (51-2.75/15.61m).
NOTE: The sports information offices of the University of Washington, Boston University, Gonzaga University, and the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix contributed to this report.
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