Collegians have strong showing at day 1 of UW Invitational...

SEATTLE--The UW Invitational got off to a strong start Friday evening, with several collegians standing out on the first of two days of competition at Dempsey Indoor on the campus of the University of Washington.

In the women's 3000, Washington State freshman Zenah Cheptoo (Paul Merca photo) challenged Canadian 5000 meter champion Briana Scott before losing ground over the last few laps.

Cheptoo finished third in a time of 9:12.18, with Scott winning in 8:58.86, and Northwestern's Ava Earl taking second in 9:12.18.

Cheptoo's teammate Micaela De Mello cruised to victory in the women's 60 hurdles in a time of 8.32, just ahead of Eastern Washington's Madelyn Knight's 8.44.

In the men's 5000, Western Washington's Kevin McDermott broke the school record, running 13:50.77 to finish third. JaQuavious Harris of Salt Lake Community College won in a national JC leading time of 13:40.92.

McDermott's mark, pending the outcome of other meets around the country is the fourth fastest so far in NCAA Division II this season. He broke the previous school record of 14:11.10 set by Jordan Welling in 2011.

Gonzaga's Wil Smith (Paul Merca photo) ran to a third place finish in the men's 3000, running a school record 7:49.67 as the top collegian in the race, as Great Britain's Henry McLuckie won in 7:47.18. For now, that puts the Spokane native in the 13th spot in NCAA Division I.

Smith broke his own school record of 7:53.57 set at last year's Husky Classic.

In the women's weight throw, Washington's Beatrice Asomaning broke a four year old school record held by Angel Nkwonta of 69-8.25 (21.24m), becoming the first Husky to cross the 70-foot mark with a throw of 70-1 (21.36m).

For the time being, the mark puts her inside the top 15 in NCAA Division I this season.

Washington grad transfer Max Manson finished fourth in a spirited battle between Mexico's Jorge Luna-Estes, UW alum Jacob Englar, and Nate Richartz, as all four cleared 18-1.25 (5.52m), with Luna-Estes taking first ahead of Englar, Richartz, and Manson on fewer misses.

Manson got a personal best and is now tied for third on the all time Husky top ten list. For now, Manson, who transferred to UW from Stanford, is currently the seventh best vaulter in NCAA Division I.

In the men's triple jump, the Huskies' Kunle Akinlosotu (50-1.75/15.28m) and Trevontay Smith (49-3.5/15.02m) went 1-2 as the UW horizontal jumps group continues its resurgence.

The UW Invitational continues Saturday starting at 9 am. Following the conclusion of the final event around noon, competition resumes at 1 pm with the Mile City races. 

The elite sections of the Mile City races happen between 3 and 3:30 pm.

Complete day 1 results of the UW Invitational are available here.

LUMB RUNS PERSONAL BEST IN BOSTON...

At the John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center, Washington alum Kieran Lumb finished ninth in the White section of the elite 5000 meter run Friday night.

The reigning Canadian champion in the 1500 and cross country in 2023 was looking to get under the Olympic standard of 13:05.00.

Adrian Wildschutt won the section in 12:56.76, as the first six finishers ducked under 13:05.00.

Lumb was ninth in a personal best 13:16.59, just ahead of fellow Husky alum Brian Fay, who was tenth in 13:17.21.

Seattle resident Sam Prakel was 12th in 13:22.15, just ahead of Dillon Maggard of the Brooks Beasts, as he ran 13:26.90.

Results of the John Thomas Terrier Classic are available here.

NOTE: The sports information office of the University of Washington, and Boston University contributed to this report.

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