The oncoming blizzard and rolling schedule at the BU Valentine Invitational didn’t stop athletes from running some smoking fast times on the track this weekend. The women’s meet had some sweet highlights that included a sub 4:30 mile, a sub-9 3k, and some incredible racing by local athletes. The mile race was led by Florida State Steeplechaser Colleen Quigley, who might as well reconsider herself as a miler now that her 4:29.67 puts her 5th all time in NCAA Women’s Milers. Hot on her tail in 4:30.62 was former Georgetown standout Rachel Schneider, who originally hails from Dover, NH.
As far as the 3k went, Furman Elite runner Heidi See flew up to snowy Boston to show us all an 8:55. The BAA’s Katie Matthews came in as the runner up in 9:02.98 with Melissa Salerno taking the bronze in 9:07.75. BC’s Liv Westphal placed 4th with 9:08.99 and Emily Lipari capped off a fantastic double with a 6th overall 9:16.04 after having won the 1000m in 2:44 earlier in the day. Erica Jesseman added to the list of fast New Englanders with her win in the 5k, cruising through the line in 16:20.73. Not gonna lie, most men can’t even run that fast.
The men’s meet featured twelve, yes TWELVE (12) sub four-minute miles, eight sub eight-minute 3ks, a master’s 45-49 world record mile, and a #3 all-time distance medley relay. The heated miles were lead by Hoka One One athlete and former Monmouth University track star Ford Palmer as he closed a 56.x last 400m to go 3:56.79 with Providence Friar Julian Oakley and Hoka teammate Mike Rutt hot on his heels in 3:57.22 and 3:57.28 respectively. Also not to mention the BAA studs Steve Mangan and Dan Lowry, who were right there in the middle of the sub-4 party by dropping a 3:58.24 and 3:58.52, respectively. For Lowry, we believe that to be a new PR for him. And then came section 3, which featured another five sub four miles, four of which were Georgetown athletes and the fifth of which was BU Terrier Rich “Dicky P” Peters, just coming back from a hiatus. Out of the sixth section, NB Indoor Grand Prix Master’s Mile Champ and NY-NJ Track Club athlete John Trautmann shattered the men’s 45-49 world record with a spectacular 4:12.33 at 46 years young.
Those who were there on friday evening also witnessed a top notch DMR. Villanova athletes Jordy Williamsz, Donald Urschel, Dusty Solis, and Robert Denault strung together the third fastest collegiate distance medley team ever with their 9:27.04. Unfortunately, we don’t have any splits to report, but regardless, this is very impressive.
The last big gig of the day was the men’s 3k for those who stuck around to watch it. Eight runners snapped the eight minute barrier! This effort was lead by Furman Elite’s Isaac Presson with a much more than solid 7:50.60. And yes, some locals were in the mix too! Club New England XC Champ Ethan Shaw and Taylor Gilland (that Tracksmith model who was the notorious rabbit for Galen Rupp’s American Records attempts last winter) showed Boston their best with 7:58.01 and 7:58.35 to place 6th and 7th.
Click here for full meet results courtesy of LancerTiming.com
