College Track & Field: Iowa State distance runners post four PRs at Stanford Invitational

STANFORD, CA – It was a small group in action for the Iowa State men Friday night at the Stanford Invitational, but the Cyclones made some noise at Cobb Track, with four student-athletes closing out the evening with personal bests.

The highlight came in the 10,000-meter run invitational, with Thomas Pollard and Ryan Ford battling it out against an elite field. The duo had their own strategies, Pollard staying closer to the front, with Ford staying more in the middle to back of the pack, but the results still came for the Cyclone seniors.

Pollard crossed the line in 10th in a new personal best 28:23.19, dropping 24 seconds off his previous best run at last season’s Big 12 Championships. His run moved him up to No. 6 in ISU history for the event. Ford took 15th in 28:34.35, which saw him drop 45 seconds off his previous best ran at least year’s Drake Relays while competing for UT-Martin. Ford’s mark also moves him to No. 8 in ISU history.

Earlier in the evening in the 5,000-meter run, Nehemia Too opened his outdoor campaign with a strong performance and a 17-second personal best, clocking a 13:52.12. In an earlier section, Kelvin Bungei also got a personal best, posting a 14:20.90.

Up Next
Iowa State will be back in action next weekend at the Sun Angel Classic, hosted by Arizona State. Competition will start on Thursday in Tempe.

Iowa State Results
5,000m Run, Section 2 (M): 1. George Kusche, Northern Arizona – 13:39.51; 12. Nehemia Too, Iowa State – 13:52.12; 20. Gable Sieperda, Iowa State – 13:59.40
5,000m Run, Section 3 (M): 1. John Shea, Northern Arizona – 13:56.52; 21. Kelvin Bungei, Iowa State – 14:20.90
10,000m Run, Invitational (M): 1. Mohamed Mohumed, Germany – 28:13.83; 10. Thomas Pollard, Iowa State – 28:23.19; 15. Ryan Ford, Iowa State – 28:34.35