Several standouts to gather at Stanford

NCAA champions Cheserek and Schweizer headline collegiate entries, joining many talented professionals and Foot Locker cross country winner Lane at prestigious two-day event

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The 42nd annual Stanford Invitational will again be defined by its exceptional depth in the distance events.

Whether it is high school, college or professional competition, several elite runners will be showcased from 800 to 10,000 meters during the two-day event March 31-April 1 at Cobb Track and Angell Field.

COLLEGE/OPEN ENTRIES  HIGH SCHOOL ENTRIES

The marquee races are expected to be the final events on Friday’s schedule with the men’s and women’s 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000. Edward Cheserek of Oregon, a 17-time NCAA champion, is scheduled to race the 10,000 in what is likely his final collegiate appearance at Stanford.

Martin Hehir, seventh at the U.S. Olympic Trials is also entered, along with NCAA top 10 finishers Erik Peterson of Butler and Colin Bennie of Syracuse.

The women’s 10,000 also has plenty of star power, with Kellyn Taylor of HOKA ONE ONE NAZ Elite – fourth at the Olympic Trials – leading a talented field that includes NCAA finalists Alice Wright of New Mexico, Lauren LaRocco of Portland and Sharon Lokedi of Kansas. Notre Dame’s Anna Rohrer, an All-American in cross country and third place in the indoor 5,000, is scheduled to compete in her first career 10,000.

Missouri junior Karissa Schweizer, the reigning NCAA cross country and indoor 5,000 champion, leads a strong group in the 5,000. Oklahoma State junior Aurora Dybedokken, who took runner-up at last year’s NCAA outdoor final with Schweizer placing third, is also entered, along with Oregon’s Alli Cash, Indiana’s Katherine Receveur and Columbia’s Henna Rustami.

Boise State’s Allie Ostrander is scheduled to compete in the 3,000 steeplechase for the first time in her collegiate career. Ostrander hasn’t raced since the 5,000 at the Olympic Trials.

Canadian talent and NIKE pro Jessica Smith and Oiselle pro Mel Lawrence are entered in the women’s 1,500. The list of entries also features BYU senior Shea Collinsworth – third in the NCAA indoor and outdoor 800 – in addition to Fresno State senior Annemarie Schwanz, seventh in the NCAA outdoor 1,500, and freshmen Katie Rainsberger of Oregon and Fiona O’Keeffe of Stanford.

Rainsberger is also entered Saturday in the 800, along with Stanford freshman Christina Aragon. Stanford junior Olivia Baker, runner-up in last year’s NCAA outdoor 800, is scheduled to race in the 400.

Brooks Elite pro Chris Low is entered in the men’s 800, NIKE pro German Fernandez is scheduled to race in the 5,000, with Oklahoma senior Dylan Blankenbaker entered in the 3,000 steeplechase after placing fourth at the NCAA outdoor final last year.

Last year’s NCAA outdoor finalists Sam Prakel and Blake Haney of Oregon are entered in the 1,500.

Foot Locker national champion Claudia Lane, a sophomore at Malibu CA, is entered in the girls mile and 3,000, along with Redwood Larkspur CA senior Glennis Murphy, who has competed at both Nike Cross Nationals and Foot Locker national finals in her career. Michael Vernau of Davis Senior CA, also a cross country finalist at NXN and Foot Locker during his career, is scheduled to race in the boys mile and 3,000.

California state girls track champions Olivia O’Keeffe of Davis Senior and Erica Schroeder of San Marcos are both entered in the 800 and mile.