Washington DMR squad runs 9:16.65, but falls short to Oklahoma State in Arkansas...
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| Kieran Lumb, Joe Waskom, Cass Elliott & Daniel Gaik combined for the second fastest time in NCAA history in the distance medley relay (photo courtesy UW Athletics) |
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas--At the Arkansas Qualifier meet Friday, the University of Washington's distance medley relay team of Joe Waskom, Daniel Gaik, Cass Elliott and Kieran Lumb broke the school record of 9:21.10 set on the Randal Tyson track last year, as well as the collegiate record of 9:19.42 set by Oregon in 2021, stopping the watch at 9:16.65.
The only problem was that the Oklahoma State squad of Fouad Messaoudi (2:49.49), DeJuana McArthur (46.82), Hafez Mahadi (1:47.27) and Schoppe (3:52.84) ran 9:16.40 to finish ahead of the Huskies.
In doing so, both teams dipped under the previous world best time set by Oregon of 9:19.42. While the distance medley relay is not considered a world record event indoors, neither the Cowboys nor the Huskies would get credit, as two of the Cowboys are foreign athletes, and anchor Kieran Lumb of Washington is a Canadian citizen.
That didn't take away from the fact that the two squads put on a performance for the ages in front of the Arkansas crowd.
UW senior Aaron Ahl helped set the pace for the field on the opening leg, as Waskom, the reigning NCAA 1500m champ led off with a stellar opening split of 2:49.41 for the 1,200-meters, passing the baton to Daniel Gaik just ahead of OSU as the two teams had already created some separation. Gaik then kept the lead with a 400-meter run of 46.37.
Cass Elliott carried for 800-meters and split a 1:47.42, passing to Kieran Lumb for the 1,600-meter leg anchor. Lumb took the baton just in front of OSU with Arkansas and Virginia teams getting back in touch to make it a four-team race on the final leg. UW and OSU gradually pulled away again from the Razorbacks and Cavaliers. OSU's Ryan Schoppe moved into the lead with a few laps remaining but Lumb stayed right behind. Lumb tried to go wide and retake the lead on the final lap but Schoppe held him off by a quarter of a second. Lumb split 3:53.46 on the final leg.
Friday's performance all but assures the Huskies a spot among the top twelve teams for the NCAA championships in three weeks. It should be noted that with the exception of Lumb from Vancouver, BC, the other three runners on the Husky squad are from Western Washington, with Waskom from Snoqualmie, Gaik from Kent, and Elliott from West Seattle.
Washington State sent a small contingent of athletes to Arkansas, led by shot putter Nana Gyedu. Gyedu won her fourth meet of the season, launching the shot 49-1 (14.96m).
Mason Lawyer broke the WSU freshman record in the 200 for the second time this season, running 21.13 to finish third overall.
In the men's shot, Ronald Grueso Mosqquera finished fourth with a best of 58-3.25 (17.76m).
Micaela De Mello (8.29) posted a solid showing, finishing in fourth place in the 60m hurdles.
Both UW & WSU wrap up the regular portion of the 2023 indoor season next Friday and Saturday, as the Huskies host the Ken Shannon Last Chance Invitational at the Dempsey.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, UW volunteer coach Sam Prakel won his first national title, taking the victory in the 3000 meters at the USATF Indoor Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center Friday.
In a tactical race, Prakel ran a 54.49 last 400 to win the race in 8:12.46 over Colorado alum Eduardo Herrera's 8:13.11.
Former Brooks Beast David Ribich was fifth in 8:14.47. while Bellarmine Prep alum Jack Yearian was sixth in 8:15.54.
In qualifying action Friday, WSU and Rainier Beach HS alum Emmanuel Wells advanced to the second round in the men's 60, running 6.72.
The women's 800 saw Nia Akins (2:02.55) and Laurie Barton (2:02.61) of the Brooks Beasts advance to Saturday's final. Fellow Beasts Isaiah Harris (1:46.72) and Devin Dixon (1:47.27) ran the number 1 and 3 times on the day to advance to Saturday's final, while David Timlin finished in 1:49.88 and did not make the finals.
The meet concludes Saturday starting at 10:00 am, with USATF.tv ($) offering live streaming coverage until 1 pm, when coverage moves to NBC Sports (KING5 in Seattle) and Peacock.
NOTE: The University of Arkansas, Washington State University, University of Washington, and USA Track & Field contributed to this report.
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