Gardner Takes Fifth In Steeplechase At NCAAs

Friday, June 8

Eugene, OR

5:30 PM

University of Washington

NCAA Outdoor Championships

June 08, 2018 | Track & Field

By: UW Athletic Communications

NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
June 6-9 • Eugene, Ore. • Hayward Field

Live Results | Complete Schedule (PDF) | Women's Start Lists

SATURDAY - WOMEN - ESPN
5:25 PM - Neale - 5,000m Final

EUGENE, Ore. – Two of the best men's distance runners in UW history wrapped up their careers today in finals at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field. For Andrew Gardner, it was a career high-point, as he made the podium with a fifth-place finish in the steeplechase with a career-best time. Fellow senior Colby Gilbert had a final race he'll want to forget, but a tremendous career that will be long remembered.

Gardner's finish was the best by a Husky male in the event since Dan Bell placed third in 1987. He improved upon his PR set back at West Prelims despite much tougher conditions today, breaking his best of 8:38.79 and remaining No. 3 in school history.

He ran about ninth in the 12-man pack through the first couple laps before making a move up to sixth-place where he would stick for the middle part of the race. The pace was quick throughout and Gardner traded spots in a group of three with two laps to go, going from fifth to seventh and back to fifth a couple times. Minnesota's Obsa Ali pulled away over the final 300-meters to win in 8:32.23 with Gardner battling to grab fifth less than five seconds back.

That coveted NCAA podium... pic.twitter.com/rfKrufBxkA
— Washington Track & Field (@UWTrack) June 9, 2018

"It's emotional, because that was my last time running here and representing Washington," said Gardner. "I was going for the win, that didn't happen, but I've got to be satisfied with how I ran here. It was one of my better years and I'm forever grateful for the support I've had recently making my experience the best it could be."

He earns First Team All-America honors with his top-eight finish, the first of his career. The last Husky to score in the steeple on the men's side was Carl Moe who was eighth in 2008. The fifth-place finish earned four team points for the Dawgs.

Gilbert, who owns the four-fastest 5,000-meter times in UW history, was positioned well all throughout the 5k final today. He was consistently in the top-10 and made a move up into the top-eight on the backstretch with three and a half laps to go. But after running third with 1,200-meters left, Gilbert tied up and the pack went past him and Gilbert couldn't rebound. He finished 22nd overall in 14:27.22, settling for All-America honorable mention.

He closes his career as the UW school record-holder in the 5k indoors and out, the indoor 3,000-meters, with one All-America honor in cross country, four All-America First Team honors, three All-America Second Team honors, and one All-America honorable mention in track.

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Saturday will bring the season to a close with the final day of women's events, with senior Amy-Eloise Neale the one Husky set to race, in the finals of the 5,000-meters at 5:25 p.m.

NCAA Outdoor Championships
Day 3 of 4 | June 8, 2018
Eugene, Ore. | Hayward Field

Men's Results
5,000m, Final: 22. Colby Gilbert, 14:27.22 (All-America honorable mention)
3,000m Steeplechase, Final: 5. Andrew Gardner, 8:37.07 (All-America First Team)