Freshman Runs 8:13.89, Smashes Meet Record By 11 Seconds; Jenna Hutchins Wins Women's 10,000

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Dominic Stone photo

Louisville's Geoffrey Kirwa, a freshman who finished 11th in last year's Kenyan Olympic Trials in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, made his first big spash in the event on the college scene on the first night of racing at the Bryan Clay Invitational at Azusa Pacific. 

Kirwa ran a new personal best by more than eight seconds when he ran 8:13.89 in the invitational section Wednesday night. 

That's No. 2 all-time behind the legendary Henry Rono in collegiate history and it's the fastest ever by a college runner in the month of April. 

Montana State's Rob McManus was second in 8:26.83. Iowa State's Joash Ruto was third in 8:27.22 and Bismack Kipchirchir from Akron was fourth in 8:27.51. 

Wingate's Titouan Le Grix, the NCAA D2 champion, was fifth in 8:29.02. 

Oklahoma's Leah Jeruto beat West Virginia's Sarah Tait to the finish tape in the women's invitational steeplechase. Jeruto ran 9:34.71 for the third-fastest time in the NCAA so far this season. Tait ran 9:37.62 for the fifth-fastest time.

In the women's 10,000 meters, BYU's Jenna Hutchins ran off to a 20-second victory in 32:22.98. That's the sixth-fastest time so far in the country and it broke the Cougars' school record. 

Dana Klein from Idaho Afoot was second in 32:42.36. 

Furman's Dylan Schubert broke the meet record in the men's 10,000 meters by running 27:45.63 in a thrilling finish. He beat Ernest Cheruiyot by .02 seconds. 

Just two seconds back were Alabama's Dismus Lokira (27:47.20) and West Texas A&M's William Amponsah (27:47.93), who broke the NCAA D2 record.