Thorner Takes NCAA Top Spot, Highlights First Day of Bryan Clay Invitational
AZUSA, Calif. – The University of New Mexico track & field team completed day one of the Bryan Clay Invitational, highlighted by an NCAA-best time in the 3000m steeplechase by Elise Thorner.
In the women’s 3000m steeplechase, Thorner ran a time of 9:40.98 to take the No. 1 spot on this season’s national qualifying list in the event, beating the previous nation leader by 11 seconds. She also set a new record for APU Stadium and a meet record by 22 seconds. Those records were previously held by Claire Borchers of Michigan, who ran a time of 10:02.77 in 2017.
The Langport, England, native not only set those records, she also beat her own previous best in the event by 12 seconds (previously 9:52.90 ran on April 23, 2021). Her time is the 10th best overall in British all-time records and second best by a runner who is 22 years of age (best is 9:35.82 ran by Eilish McColgan, 8/10/2013).
Samantha Valentine also ran the event for the Lobos, placing ninth with a time of 10:29.33. Awet Yohannes ran the men’s 3000m steeplechase, finishing with a time of 8:56.62.
The Lobos have a full slate of distance events on day two of the Bryan Clay Invitational tomorrow. The day will start at 8:15 a.m. (PT) as Nehemiah Cionelo runs in the men’s 5000m open. From there, New Mexico will have a gap in competition before the men’s 800m run at 4:10 p.m., which Gavin Sleeter is scheduled to compete in.
Tomorrow night will be filled with 5000m invite events. Gracelyn Larkin, Emma Heckel and Adva Cohen will run in section 1 of the invite event at 8:40 p.m., followed by the men’s section 1 at 8:57 p.m. which Abdirizak Ibrahim will run in. Then, Semira Mebrahtu Firezghi and Samantha Valentine will run in women’s section 3 at 9:44 p.m., followed by Kevin Mulcaire in the men’s section 3 at 10:01 p.m. Awet Yohannes will close out Thursday’s events as he runs in the men’s section 4 at 10:35 p.m.
To keep up with all things Lobo track & field, follow @UNMLoboXCTF on Twitter and Instagram.