Results

PALO ALTO, Calif. (April 4, 2015) – Senior Tabor Stevens and freshman Oliver Aitchison left no doubt on Friday afternoon that the clout of Adams State University track & field expands beyond the NCAA Division II level. The duo claimed first place in their respective running events at the Stanford Invite with both finishes meeting the automatic qualifying standards for the NCAA DII National Championships.

Despite being inactive for a collegiate meet since Dec. 6, Stevens picked up exactly where he left off—in first place. The Canyon City, Colorado native boasted a time of 8:32.50 in the 3000 meter steeplechase to beat out several NCAA DI competitors. The finish gives him the fastest time in the world for the 3000m steeplechase (IAAF). In total, he beat 42 other athletes split amongst three sections. His finish was just over four seconds faster than the second-place runner in his section

Not only did the time set a new personal-best but also established a new school record previously held by Reuben Mwei (8:34.42 – 2010). Furthermore, it stands as the top time for the 3000m steeplechase in the country regardless of division (NCAA I, II, and III).

It was Stevens' first race since winning his second consecutive cross country national championship in Louisville on Dec. 6.
 

In his first outdoor collegiate race, Aitchison awed with a time of 3:40.77 in the 1500 meter run. The top time bested Matthew Clowes of Concordia by nearly two seconds. Aitchison flourished to beat 35 others in the event (split into three sections) and ultimately fell 1.14 seconds short of breaking the ASU school record. Like Stevens, Aitchison set a new personal-best and registered the top time in the country, regardless of division. It was his first collegiate race since helping ASU claim their fourth indoor track & field national championship on March 14 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Seniors Kevin Batt and Matt Daniels also participated at the Stanford Invite. Daniels clocked a time of 3:46.29 in the 1500m; good enough for a DII provisional mark. He also competed in the 5000m but did not finish. Batt set a personal-best time of 13:39.61 in the 5000m to give him an automatic qualifying time for nationals. He now owns the best time in the event amongst all NCAA DII runners. Despite the new record, Batt finished 12^th in his section amongst a tough group of competitors.

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