Oregon men have four athletes run sub-4 miles, won by Prakel

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

New Mexico junior Ednah Kurgat and Washington senior Colby Gilbert stood up to the challenge of deep and talented 3,000-meter fields to secure impressive victories Saturday at the Husky Classic at the Dempsey Indoor facility in Seattle.

Kurgat clocked 8 minutes, 57.47 seconds to lead five female athletes under 9:00, including Oregon's Jessica Hull (8:58.50) and Lilli Burdon (8:59.18). Kurgat's effort helped her elevate to No. 3 among NCAA Division 1 performers this year.

Gilbert ran 7:49.42 to edge Arkansas' Cameron Griffith (7:49.78), the second- and third-fastest collegiate times this season.

Sam Prakel prevailed in the men's mile in 3:56.89, leading four Oregon athletes under the 4-minute mark.

Reed Brown (3:57.23) was second, Mick Stanovsek (3:58.23) took sixth and Blake Haney (3:59.01) placed ninth for the Ducks. Arizona's Carlos Villarreal (3:57.64) secured third, Texas freshman Sam Worley (3:58.04) finished fourth and professionals Lopez Lomong (3:58.19) and Evan Jager (3:58.27) were fifth and seventh.

Clayton Murphy prevailed in the men's 800 in 1:48.36.

Eastlake WA junior Ellie Talius defeated a field of collegiate and professional pole vaulters by clearing a personal-best 13-7 (4.14m), just a quarter-inch off the Washington state indoor record. Talius, who made four first-bar clearances before missing three attempts at 14-0.75 (4.29m), is now equal to the No. 19 all-time prep performer.

Stanford junior Lena Giger elevated to No. 2 among collegiate performers this year in the shot put with an effort of 58-4 (17.78m).

Stanford redshirt senior Valerie Allman ascended to No. 9 in NCAA Division 1 in the women's weight throw with a mark of 70-3.50 (21.42m).