Publication Date: Friday, April 29, 2005
TRACK & FIELD
Fast times are expected at Cardinal Invitational
Fast times are expected at Cardinal Invitational
(April 29, 2005) Distance standouts will take aim at qualifying standards
by Keith Peters
Many of the nation's best track athletes have one thing on their mind this weekend: run fast.
While the top sprinters will be doing that at the annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia, many of the finest distance runners will be at Stanford's Cobb Track & Angell Field for the Cardinal Invitational.
"Stanford is a special place to run," said U.S. Olympian Abdi Abdirahman, who'll be among the fast fields Sunday night. "It's a place you're not running for place. You're there for one reason, and that's to run fast."
Field events begin at 3 p.m., and running at 5:20 p.m.
In its 10th year, the Cardinal Invitational has developed into one of the premier track and field meets of the outdoor season. Each May, college and elite level athletes gather here with intentions of achieving qualifying marks for the season's remaining championship meets.
At stake Sunday will be `A' qualifying standards for the U.S. National Outdoor Championships and the IAAF World Championships.
In addition, many collegiate athletes, including several from Stanford, will have their eyes set on the standards for the NCAA Regional Championships.
Among the featured events will be the men's and women's 10,000 meters.
In 2002, Deena Drossin ran an American record time of 30:52.32 while crushing Lynn Jennings' previous record of 31:19.89. Japan's Yoko Shibui won the race in a Japanese record time of 30:48.89. The times by Shibui and Drossin were the third and fourth fastest in the world in 2002.
In 2001, Meb Keflezighi set an American record (27:13.98) in the men's 10,000 meters at the Cardinal Invitational and race winner Abraham Chebii of Kenya ran the fastest 10,000 meters ever on American soil with a time of 27:04.20.
In 2003, Alan Culpepper took top honors in the men's Kim McDonald Memorial 10,000 with a U.S.-leading time of 27:41.90.
The men's 10K race Sunday is projected to be the best race at that distance in North America this year. The field is loaded with Olympic-caliber athletes including Reid Coolsaet, Christian Belz, Monder Rizki, Craig Mottram, Terukazu Omori, Boaz Cheboiywo, Takayuki Matsumiya, Matt Gonzales, Simon Bairu and Stanford senior Ian Dobson.
Two-time Olympian Jen Rhines of the United States leads the list of entries in the women's 10,000. Rhines was a member of the USA Olympic marathon team. Also in the field will be 2004 Olympian Elva Dryer, Katie McGregor and Amy Rudolph.
Stanford graduate Lauren Fleshman will headline a quality field in the 1,500 meters. Fleshman was a five-time NCAA champion at Stanford, including three consecutive NCAA titles in the 5000 meters from 2001-03. Fleshman won 14 All-American honors during her tenure at Stanford.
The men's 5,000 meters will be equally top-notch with the likes of Abdirahman, Jorge Torres, and former Stanford All-American Jonathon Riley.
The men's 1,500 field is expected to include 2000 Olympic Trials champ Gabe Jennings and 2004 Olympic Trials champion Alan Webb.
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