FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For the second time in as many seasons, Rayna Stanziano embarks on the NCAA West Prelims, this time competing in two events. After another record-breaking season for the junior standout, Stanziano will attempt to qualify for the NCAA Championship in both the 1500m and the 5000m. The University of Arkansas serves as the host of this year's West Prelims, with the four-day event beginning on Wednesday in the late-afternoon. The 1500m first round competition begins on Thursday.
 
THE DETAILS
NCAA West Prelims
John McDonnell Field – Fayetteville, Ark.
1500m First Round on May 26 at 3:30 pm PT
1500m Quarterfinals on May 28 at 2:15 pm PT
5000m Semifinals on May 28 at 5:10 pm PT
Watch (Thursday) | Watch (Saturday) | Starting List | Live Results
 
SEASON IN REVIEW
It's been another wildly successful season for Stanziano, who continues to set records nearly every time she takes the track. She set Saint Mary's records in four different events during the 2022 season, including both the 1500m and 5000m that she will be competing in this weekend.
 
The first record she shattered was the 3000m SMC record, held previously by Abby Bolt from 2018, and Stanziano broke the record by an incredible 38 seconds in the West Coast Opener on March 5. That put her season in motion, breaking her own 1500m record one month later at the Stanford Invitational, finishing third place overall with her time of 4:17.15. Two weeks later at the Bryan Clay Invitational, Stanziano ran a 16:06.65 in the 5000m, which was nearly one minute faster than Haley Dorris and her 2017 SMC record.
 
To close out the regular season, Stanziano broke another of her own Gaels records when she ran a 2:06.49 in the 800m at the West Coast Last Chance, a mark that would have given her a chance to compete in the 800m at the West Prelims as well.
 
"As she matures as a person she has found things that help her stay competing in peak performance," head coach Marty Kinsey said about Stanziano. "While she has always been a natural competitor and talented runner, she has really upped her game in the areas outside of running. This year, Rayna worked with Sports Psych Tim Bayley quite a bit and this has really helped keep her centered with racing and her confidence. We also put together a strong season plan for her to get to this point and because of how she approaches her sport, she was able to stay dialed in the whole way.
 
THE FORMAT
The first round of the 1500m at the NCAA West Prelims is broken into four heats, each with 12 runners. The top five from each heat will advance to Saturday's quarterfinals, as well as the top-four times from those who are not inside a top-five within a heat. From there, the top five from each quarterfinal will advance to the NCAA Championship in Eugene, Oregon, as well as the top-two times from those not within a top-five within a heat.
 
The 5000m follows a similar format, with the difference being a lack of first round and quarterfinal action. All runners will begin with the semifinals on Saturday, with the field of 48 being broken into two 24-runner heats. The top five from each heat will advance, as well as the top-two times from those not within a top-five within a heat. This sends those runners directly to the championship race at the NCAA Championship.
 
"Some keys for her to be successful will be patience and letting the race play out without using too much stress or energy," said Kinsey. "Maintaining good running economy in these championship style races is important to be ready to cover the big moves that are made in the latter stages of the races. She's strong, both mentally and physically, so it should be fun to see what she can do."