Alabama
Tom Jones Memorial
Alabama Track and Field’s Eliud Kipsang Sets New Collegiate Record
4/15/2022 5:01:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
The Crimson Tide distance ace ran a blistering 3:33.74 to win the 1,500 meters at the Bryan Clay Invitational with the fastest time in collegiate history
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Eliud Kipsang closed out a very good day for the Alabama track and field team with a new collegiate record in the 1,500 meters at the Bryan Clay Invitational Friday night.
Kipsang closed with an epic kick to go 3:33.74, bettering the previous collegiate mark by nearly a second at Cougar Stadium in Azusa, Calif. He beat pro runner Will Paulson by more than two-tenths of a second and was more than two and a half seconds better than the nearest collegian. He is now the only college runner in track and field history to go under 3:34.00 in the 1,500 meters.
At the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., Mercy Chelangat bettered her own school record with a 15:17.28, which move her into the all-time top 10 in collegiate competition.
Across the country at the Tom Jones Invitational, in Gainesville, Fla., Louis Martinez led the way, clearing the bar at 5.22 meters to win the men's pole vault, a mark that ranks him fifth all-time at UA. Alan de Falchi took second in the men's discus with a season-best mark of 60.57 meters, which ranks him fifth all-time at Alabama. Tarsis Orogot took third in the men's 200 meters, with a 20.39, which ranks him sixth all-time for the Crimson Tide.
More Crimson Tide Highlights
- Samantha Zelden (48.95 meters) and Hailey Poole (48.54 meters) took sixth and seventh in the women's javelin
- Poole's throw in the javelin ranks her sixth all-time at UA
- Megan Patton took seventh in the 10,000 meters at the Bryan Clay Invitational with a time of 34:31.77, ranking her ninth all-time at Alabama
- Jerimiah Evans finished seventh in the men's discus in Gainesville after posting a throw of 53.12 meters
- Cross Derriso was ninth in the men's pole vault after clearing 4.77 meters
- Corde Long took 10th in the 400-meter hurdles with a 51.06, just off his season best in Gainesville
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