STANFORD, Calif. — 18 different Gaels took to the track at Stanford on Friday evening as part of the Payton Jordan Invitational. Under the lights at Cobb Track, the Gaels were able to record numerous blazing fast times and PRs, gaining valuable experience for their youngsters, and continuing to see their veterans grow during their collegiate track careers.
To open the evening, six Gaels competed in the 1500m race. The race was split into four sections, comprised of 33 total runners. Jason Habash was the fastest Gael, finishing second in the second section, and 13th overall with a time of 3:54.36. Alexandro Alvarez and Daniel Martinez both also finished sub-four minutes, with Alvarez checking in at 3:56.20 and Martinez setting a new PR at 3:56.76. Alvarez finished sixth in the second section and 18th overall, while Martinez won the third section, and took 19th overall. With Habash just a junior, Alvarez a sophomore, and Martinez a freshman, the Gaels clearly demonstrated their depth of talent in each class in this race alone.
Next up, the Gaels ran two underclassmen in the 800m, sophomore Gus Hollister and freshman Zach Zlobinsky. Both ran in the third of three sections, and both set new collegiate PRs, Hollister at 2:00.10 and Zlobinsky at 2:03.85. Hollister punched above his weight class a bit in this race, beating two of the times run in the faster second section of the race.
Nine Gaels filled the 43 man, two section 5000m race, with this distance once again proving to be a specialty at Saint Mary's. Zane Jackson was the Gaels top finisher, taking home ninth in the second section and 29th overall with a near 18 second PR of 14:11.47. It was Jackson's first 5000m as a member of the Gaels after transferring from Elon where he competed last Spring. One spot behind Jackson was another transfer, TK Berhe. Berkhe also threw down a massive PR, this time of a little over 15 seconds, with a time of 14:15.52 in his first 5000m race as a Gael after transfering from La Verne. Berkhe finished one spot back of Jackson, both in the section and overall. Luther Hart (14:59.13), Aidan Donovan (14:59.28), Ethan Gray (15:04.03), and Aidan Doherty (15:19.83) each also set PRs in this distance.
Rounding out the group of competitors, thrower Gavin Voskamp set new PRs in the shotput (15.06m) and discus (47.70m), good for third and second respectively.
The Gaels will split squad between two events next weekend, with some heading to Los Angeles to take part in the Oxy Invite, and some heading to Fresno for the Fresno State Invitational.
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