Cuffe Leads Record Barrage for Stanford

The Cardinal freshman set the American Junior Record in the 3,000 meters.

	Aisling Cuffe

Feb. 3, 2012

Stanford Men's Indoor Records

Stanford Women's Indoor Records

STANFORD, Calif. - The track season is young, but already Stanford has made a splash with various records and additions to the Cardinal all-time top-10 lists. Most recently, Stanford had a number of good performances at the Razorback Invitational, including an American Junior Record by Aisling Cuffe.

Cuffe was just a week removed from running at the Bupa Great Edinburgh International Cross Country Championships in Scotland. Cuffe finished second and was the top American at that event. After flying home, Cuffe immediately went back across the country for the Razorback Invitational. Making her Stanford debut on the track, Cuffe ran 9:15.56 to finish a close second to teammate Kathy Kroeger, but set a new American Junior Record.

Stanford runners now hold both the American Junior Records in the indoor 3,000 meters as Chris Derrick set the boy's record of 7:56.31 back in 2009.

Speaking of Derrick, he and Elliott Heath ran two of the fastest 3K's in Stanford history in the same meet. Heath won the race in 7:50.14, while Derrick was just behind him in 7:50.18. Both times were NCAA automatic standards and rank second and third all-time at Stanford. Jonathon Riley still holds the Cardinal record in the indoor 3K with a time of 7:48.79, set back in 2001.

Derrick and Heath will potentially chase more records next weekend when they race the 5,000 meters at the 105th Millrose Games on February 11, at the Armory New Balance Track & Field Center in New York. The current Stanford record in the indoor 5,000 meters is 13:34.54 run by Heath last year. In addition, the NCAA indoor record is 13:18.12 and the pace is expected to be at least that fast with top pros also in the race. However, Derrick recently admitted he has longer-term goals on his mind than running that fast of a race this early in the season. The full interview from Runner's World is available HERE.

The lone Stanford record to be broken so far this season was Kori Carter in the 60-meter hurdles. Carter ran 8.31 at the Bronco Invitational in Boise on January 21. Carter broke her own record, but Katie Nelms matched the old record of 8.33 in that same race and currently ranks second in Stanford history.

Other Cardinal women to enter the Stanford top-10 list this season are Katie Zingheim who now ranks third in the pole vault (13-1 ½ - 4.00m), Madeline Treasure who is fourth in the pentathlon (3,494 points) and Jordan Merback who is tied for ninth in the triple jump (40-5 ½ - 12.33m).

For the men, Darian Brooks now ranks tied for ninth in the 60 meters (6.93) and 10th in the triple jump (48-1 ¼ - 14.66m), while Geoffrey Tabor is third in the shot put (58-7 ½ - 17.87m) and Colin Hepburn is eighth in the 200 meters (21.80).

The Stanford track teams are off this weekend, but will return to action next week at the Husky Classic in Seattle and the Don Kirby Collegiate Elite in Albuquerque. In addition, Derrick and Heath will run the 5K at the Millrose Games.

Stanford University Track & Field