WSU's Evans Kurui posts NCAA top-5 mark in the 5000 at Bryan Clay Invitational...
AZUSA, California--Washington State's Evans Kurui (#2/Paul Merca photo) finished fourth in the top section of the men's 5000 meters Friday night at the Bryan Clay Invitational at Cougar Stadium on the campus of Azusa Pacific University.
Facing many of the same athletes he competed against two weeks earlier in the 10000 at the Stanford Invitational, Kurui was in a group of four through 3800 meters.
With less than a kilometer to go, New Mexico's Habtom Samuel, the winner of the 10000 at Stanford, slowly started ramping up the pace by throwing in a 62 second lap, with each lap getting progressively faster.
That injection of pace was enough to break everyone behind Samuel, as he took the victory in 13:03.47, along with the fastest collegiate time of the 2026 season
Kurui finished in a time of 13:17.61, just ahead of Seattle resident Sam Prakel, who was fifth in 13:17.90.
Kurui now has for the time being, the fourth fastest collegiate time so far this season.
Washington's Evan Jenkins was 16th in the section in a personal best 13:32.34.
In the top section of the women's 5000, Washington's Chloe Thomas finished 17th in 15:32.36.
Washington's Julia David-Smith was eighth in the second section of the invitational women's 5000, running 15:38.80.
Earlier in the day, Washington's Jenica Swartz was fourth in her heat of the elite section of the women's 800, running 2:03.45, while Chloe Symon was fifth in her heat of the invitational section of the 800 in 2:03.84.
SeattleU's Seku Sanders set a school record in his section of the men's 800, running 1:48.75.
As of 10:30 pm Friday, there were several sections of the men's and women's 5000s still in progress. This will be updated.
The 1500s take center stage at the Bryan Clay Invitational Saturday, while most of the Washington D2 schools who made the trip to California will have athletes competing in the various track and field events offered Saturday afternoon.
MT. SAC RELAYS RECAP...
In Walnut, at the Mt. SAC Relays on Friday, the Washington Husky sprints and jumps group came away with two wins on the day at Hilmer Lodge Stadium.
400 meter hurdler Jonathan Frazier, competing in the collegiate section of the men's 400 hurdles, ran to victory, winning his heat in a season best time of 51.39.
High jumper Leland Lieberg cleared seven feet for the first time in his career, winning the event in a personal best 7-0.25 (2.14m) on his third attempt. Lieberg won the competition at the previous height of 6-11 (2.11m) on his second attempt.
The Dawgs nearly came away with a third win as triple jumper Trevontay Smith led the collegiate section of the event until the final jump of the day, when Jay Louison-Roe of Cal State Northridge bounded 51-10.5 (15.81m) to take the win.
Smith finished second with a personal best 51-7.25 (15.73m). Teammate Roman Hutchinson was fourth at 50-10.75 (15.51m).
On the women's side, the best mark of the day came from Mikayla Gardley in the 400 hurdles, as she was fifth in her heat in a season best 60.64.
Seattle native Allison Neiders of Duke finished third in the elite section of the women's pole vault, clearing 13-9.25 (4.20m). Washington's Avril Wilson was tenth in the section with a best of 12-9.5 (3.90m).
Saturday at Mt. SAC, the Moll twins will open up their collegiate outdoor campaign in the top section of the women's pole vault. They'll be joined by current Huskies Veronica Vacca and Sara Borton, as well as alum Nastassja Campbell.
Washington's Jimmy Rhoads and Eli Gault-Crabb will also vault in the top section of the men's pole vault along with alum Scott Toney.
400 meter runner Alex Rhodes faces his toughest test of the season in the top section of the men's 400.
Western Washington's Maurice Woodring and Bec Bennett are entered in the top section of the men's 400 hurdles and 400 dash. Also entered in the women's 400 is Washington alum Gianna Woodruff.
Media partner RunnerSpace.com ($) will stream the final day of the Mt. SAC Relays.
BEACH INVITATIONAL RECAP
While the rest of the Western Washington team rested before competing in Saturday's portion of the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, the Viking throws contingent stayed in Long Beach for the first of two days of competition at the Beach Invitational, hosted by Long Beach State.
In the men's javelin, Andrew Nelson (193-2/58.88m) was 17th and Sean Witters (188-11/57.59m) finished 21st overall.
Angelo Ramos (189-2/57.67m) and Calvin Gutierrez (185-0/56.39m) finished 18th and 21st, respectively, in the men's hammer.
Jessica Polkinghorn was 20th in the women's javelin with a best of 142-2 (43.34m), while Kathryn Chapin (171-7/52.31m) was 22nd in the hammer.
All return to action Saturday at the Beach Invitational.
NOTE: The sports information offices of the University of Washington, Washington State, Western Washington, Mt. San Antonio College, Long Beach State University, and Azusa Pacific University contributed to this report.
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