Stanford Men's All-Time Records

Stanford Women's All-Time Records

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Cardinal got off to a big start at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday as Stephanie Marcy earned first team All-America honors in the 10,000 meters, while three others advanced through the semifinals of their events.

The three to advance came from as the men's team as each will be competing in finals that will be contested on Friday. First, Benjamin Johnson and JT Sullivan looked smooth in qualifying with the second and third fastest times of the day in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Next, Amaechi Morton won his heat of the 400-meter hurdles in dominating fashion.

Marcy competed in the lone final on the track, placing sixth in the 10,000 meters to earn three team points for Stanford. She ran near the front of the pack for nearly the entirety of the race before the leaders were stretched out over the final two laps. At one point, Marcy was forced to break stride and take a few steps in the infield as an opposing runner dropped out of the race and cut her off. Marcy finished with a time of 34:35.18 and will be an All-American in the event for the second-straight season. Marcy is not done either as she will compete in the 5,000 meters on Friday.

In the steeplechase, Johnson and Sullivan went with the defending champion Matt Hughes of Louisville who looked to make it a fast race. Neither of the Stanford duo was bothered by the pace as they, along with Hughes, separated from the field. Johnson cruised to a personal-best time of 8:40.32, while Sullivan also finished with a personal best of 8:41.46.

It was an impressive result for the steeplechasing duo as Stanford looks to score big points in the final on Friday. Johnson moved to fourth all-time at Stanford with his time, while Sullivan was sixth best in Stanford history.

JT Sullivan and Benjamin Johnson

Morton was incredibly smooth in cruising to a season-best time of 49.31 to win his heat of the intermediate hurdles. He will enter Friday's final as the No. 2 seed as only two-time defending champion Jeshua Anderson of Washington State ran faster on the day. The Cardinal junior will look to unseat Anderson in the final as the Pac-10 rivals battle for the final time as collegians.

The lone athlete in the field for the Stanford men was Geoffrey Tabor and things did not go quite as well as he failed to make the final in the discus. Tabor tossed 173-10 with his first toss, but then fouled on his next two attempts. The throw placed Tabor 19th and out of the final that received three more throws. Tabor will earn honorable mention All-America honors for his efforts.

In the field for the women, Brittni Dixon-Smith competed in the long jump, but also failed to make the final round. Dixon-Smith leaped 20-5 ¾ on her third attempt to place 12th and earn second team All-America honors.

Finally, Kori Carter competed in the 400-meter hurdles, placing eighth in her heat and did not advance to Friday's final. Carter ran a time of 59.14, well off her own school record of 57.10 set earlier this season. She will earn honorable mention All-America honors for making the NCAA finals. Carter is not done, however as she will be back on the track on Thursday when she competes in the prelims of the 100-meter hurdles.

Stanford will continue with the NCAA Outdoor Championships tomorrow as several more athletes are set to compete. The Stanford women are currently in a tie for 15th, while Cardinal men have yet to compete in a final. This will change tomorrow as four men will race the final of the 10,000 meters. Also competing will be the men's 4x400-meter relay, Eda Karesin in the javelin and Carter returning for the high hurdles.