Fay Takes NCAA Lead With 5,000m Victory

Friday, April 14

Azusa, CA

All Day

University of Washington

Bryan Clay Invitational

April 14, 2023 | Track & Field

By: UW Athletic Communications

Mt. SAC Relays | Wednesday-Saturday, Apr. 12-15
Walnut, Calif., Mt. SAC College
Meet Schedule | Live Results | Live Video

Bryan Clay Invitational | Thursday-Saturday, Apr. 13-15
Azusa, Calif., Azusa Pacific
Meet Schedule | Live Results | Live Video

AZUSA, Calif. – Last year Brian Fay staged a comeback for the ages at the Bryan Clay Invitational, making up a massive final lap deficit in a thrilling win. This year he simply pulled away from the field, taking over the NCAA lead with a time of 13:21.99. Fay's win capped one of the most productive days of the outdoor season for the Huskies as they competed at the Bryan Clay in Azusa, Calif. and the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.

Bryan Clay Invitational

Fay sat in the back of the lead pack for much of the race but started picking off runners with two laps to go, and he took the lead right before the bell lap began. Going with him was Husky volunteer assistant and U.S. Indoor Champion Sam Prakel, while Kieran Lumb, who recently signed with On Running after finishing his collegiate career indoors, was close behind.

Fay held off Prakel for the win in 13:21.99, a few seconds off his winning time a year ago, but well under the NCAA lead entering the week, which was 13:26.58. Prakel was second in 13:22.78, and Lumb took third in 13:27.60. The next collegiate finisher behind Fay was Bob Liking of Wisconsin, who ran 13:27.92.

The other big Husky marks at Bryan Clay today came in the 800-meters. Freshman Chloe Foerster won her heat in a time of 2:05.80, going to No. 7 in school history outdoors, while Marlena Preigh went 2:06.18 for the new No. 9 time.

On the men's side, Sam Ellis went to No. 4 in school history with a time of 1:47.55, which should rank among the top-15 nationally after the week ends. Cass Elliott also moved back up to the 800m after focusing on the 400m hurdles in his first two meets. Elliott, the indoor school record-holder, ran 1:47.95 to go to No. 5 in the Husky outdoor list.

Mt. SAC Relays

The first Husky flex in Walnut today came from the women's javelin group, which had a strong collective effort, led by freshman Saydi Orange. Orange tossed a collegiate best mark of 161-8 today, going to No. 7 in school history just three meets into her career.

Tanya Simora also went over 150-feet for the second time this season, throwing 152-11, and Natalie Holmer had a PR at 147-2.

The men's javelin crew also had a strong day, with Brady Gockel joining the mix for the first time along with Chandler Ault and Jack Olsen. Ault, in the invitational section, had all three throws better than 224-feet, with his best at 227-0. Gockel went 201-10 in his season debut, and Olsen threw 199-0.

Tim Luebbert PR'd twice in the triple jump. On his third attempt he went 49-6 ½, then coming back for the final, on his sixth and last attempt, he got four more inches on his lifetime-best, to 49-10 ½.

Luebbert also long jumped earlier in the day, going 23-4, while Prestin Artis had a best today of 24-0 ¾.

In the women's pole vault collegiate B section, Ashleigh Helms got herself an outdoor career-best of 13-5 ¼ and freshman Sarah Ferguson had a third-attempt make of 12-11 ½. Nastassja Campbell and Sara Borton will vault tomorrow in the invite section.

In the sprints, Danielle Hunter had a 12.12 time in the 100-meter dash then later clocked 24.51 in the 200-meters. Freshman Anna Terrell, went 25.21 in the 200-meters, and ran the 400-meters in 56.19.

Daniel Gaik returned to action for the men and posted a 400-meters time of 47.98, while Sam Baricevic ran 48.56.

MaKayla Kelby, Beatrice Asomaning, and Kaia Tupu-South all threw the discus for the second day in a row after competing at Long Beach State yesterday, but none were able to better their marks today. Kelby led the way at 167-11, Asomaning went 164-7, and Tupu-South 160-2.