Colton Johnsen Runs into the WSU Record Books

BOSTON- Washington State men's track and field fifth-year senior Colton Johnsen ran his way in the WSU record book at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener to kick-off the 2021-22 season for the Cougars, as the distance runner recorded the second-fastest 5,000m indoor time in program history.

The Bellingham, Washington native ran a race to remember in the season-opening meet in Boston, as the two-time indoor All-American finished the 5,000m run in 13:34.75 to finish second in his heat and 18th overall.

"Colton was amazing today," said WSU track and field head coach Wayne Phipps. "He executed his race plan perfectly and progressed throughout the race."  

Johnsen's time of 13:34.75 was just .15 seconds behind John Ngeno's WSU indoor 5,000m record time of 13:34.6.

"Colton completed the last 400m (of today's race) in just 57 seconds and just missed a 45-year-old record by tenths of a second," Phipps said. "For Colton to run that fast this early in the season sets him up very well for the upcoming season."

A 2021 NCAA Indoor All-American in the 5000m and the 3000m, Johnsen is picking up right where he left off last season. The distance runner shaved almost five seconds from his personal-best time in the 5,000m on Saturday. Prior to this weekend, Johnsen's personal-record in the 5,000m run came at the 2021 Pac-12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where he clocked in at 13:39.54.

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