Gillespie just misses school record at 5,000m

FAYETTEVILLE - Making her outdoor season debut, Kristen Gillespie finished just .02 off the school record at 5,000 meter Friday night at the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif. Along with Gillespie, the Razorbacks picked up personal-best performances from Keri Wood at 1,500 meters and Grace Heymsfield in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Running the second-fastest time in school history, Gillespie crossed the finish line in 15:48.91 to finish in 12th place in section one of the 5,000 meters. The school record of 15:48.89 was set during the 2000 season by Jessica Dailey. The time for Gillespie was more than 42 seconds faster than her previous best (16:31.73) in the event. In section two of the event, Kaitlin Flattmann finished in 19th place with a time of 16:30.90.

Heymsfield was the Razorbacks' top performer in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Running in section two of the event, she finished in sixth place with a personal-best time of 10:16.76 and finished in sixth place. The time is nearly 24 seconds faster than her previous best of 10:40.31 run last season at the USA Junior Championships.

Arkansas' other two competitors in the event were Cali George and Shannon Klenke. George finished 18th in section one with a time of 10:27.21. Klenke, in her steeplechase debut, posted a time of 10:45.04 and finished in 12th place in section three.

In the 1,500 meters, Samantha Learch finished in 10th place in section two with a time of 4:24.82, the fastest outdoor opener of her career. Running in section four, Wood turned in a runner-up finish and a personal-best effort of 4:27.73. She shaved nearly five seconds off her previous best. Diane Robison finished 12th in section four with a time of 4:37.80.

Competition at the Stanford Invitational concludes Saturday with Gillespie, Learch, Martine Borge and Jillian Rosen scheduled to compete at 800 meters. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Stanford Invitational - Friday Results

400m
22. Stephanie Brown - 57.73

1,500m
(section 2)
10. Samantha Learch - 4:24.82
(section 4)
2. Keri Wood - 4:27.73 (PR)
12. Diane Robison - 4:37.80

5,000m
(section 1)
12. Kristen Gillespie - 15:48.91
(section 2)
19. Kaitlin Flattmann - 16:30.90

3,000m Steeplechase
(section 1)
18. Cali George - 10:27.21
(section 2)
6. Grace Heymsfield - 10:16.76 (PR)
(section 3)
12. Shannon Klenke - 10:45.04