Young Advances in 1,500

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Freshmen Leo Young accomplished a feat that hadn't been done in nine years by a Stanford runner at the NCAA West Prelims.

Young advanced to the second stage of the meet – officially the NCAA quarterfinal round – in the 1,500 meters. In doing so, Young became the first Stanford male runner in the second round since Justin Brinkley and Tom Coyle in 2015.

Young is one step from the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and has the chance to be the first from Stanford to advance that far since Michael Atchoo in 2014. 

Young ran a season-best 3:42.04 to place sixth in the fourth heat. Young was among four in the 48-runner field to advance as qualifiers based on time. Teammate Thomas Boyden ran a personal best 3:45.68 to finish 38th overall, but did not advance.

The West Prelims, at University of Arkansas's John McDonnell Field, is one of two NCAA qualifying competitions, with the other in Lexington, Kentucky. The top 12 in each event in each meet advance to the NCAA Championships, creating a 24-participant field. The NCAA Championships are June 5-8 in Eugene, Oregon.

Leo Young was among five Stanford men to compete on the opening night of the four-night meet. Overall, Stanford will send 27 individuals into action and two relay teams. 

Leo's twin Lex placed 25th in the 10,000 and has the 5,000 on Friday.

In the field events, graduate student Sam Liokumovich closed out his Stanford career by placing 21st in the shot put at 58-10 (17.93m). It marked Liokumovich's first time at the West Prelims and therefore was his best finish at this stage. 

Allan Hunter, a senior, also earned his best NCAA West Prelims placing, taking 35th in the long jump with a distance of 24-1 ½ (7.35m). 

The Cardinal women will be in action with opportunities to advance to Eugene in the javelin, long jump, and 10,000. 
 
* * *

NCAA West Prelims
At John McDonnell Field
Stanford results

Men
1,500 – 19, Leo Young 3:42.04q; 38, Thomas Boyden 3:45.68 (PB).
10,000 – 25, Lex Young 29:40.80.
Long jump – 35, Allan Hunter 24-1 ½ (7.35m).
Shot put – 21, Sam Liokumovich 58-10 (17.93m). 
 
* * *

Stanford's Schedule (all times Pacific)

Thursday
Noon: Women's javelin – F1: Abbey Moody.
4 p.m.: Women's long jump first round – F2: Tess Stapleton; F3: Alyssa Jones.
4:30 p.m.: Women's 1,500 first round – H1: Julia Flynn; H4: Zofia Dudek.
5:25 p.m.: Women's 400 first round – H3: Maya Valmon, Cydney Wright.
5:50 p.m.: Women's 800 first round – H4: Amelia Everett; H5: Taylor James, Roisin Willis; H6: Juliette Whittaker.
6:20 p.m.: Women's 400 hurdles first round – H4: Samantha Thomas. 
6:45 p.m.: Women's 200 first round – H1: Cydney Wright; H3: Tess Stapleton.
7:10 p.m.: Women's 10,000 semifinals – Grace Connolly. 

Friday
3:15 p.m.: Men's 1,500 quarterfinals – Leo Young.
4 p.m.: Men's triple jump first round – F3: Kevin Yang.
6:10 p.m.: Men's 5,000 semifinals – H1: Lex Young; H2: Ky Robinson, Leo Young.

Saturday
11 a.m.: Women's discus first round – F1: Brandy Atuatasi, Kaiah Fisher.
3 p.m.: Women's 4x100 relay – H2: Stanford.
3:15 p.m.: Women's 1,500 quarterfinals.
3:40 p.m.: Women's 3,000 steeplechase quarterfinals – H3: Riley Stewart.
4 p.m.: Women's triple jump first round – F1: Alaysia Oakes.
4:50 p.m.: Women's 400 quarterfinals.
5:05 p.m.: Women's 800 quarterfinals.
5:25 p.m.: Women's 400 hurdles quarterfinals.
5:50 p.m.: Women's 200 quarterfinals.
6:10 p.m.: Women's 5,000 semifinals – H1: Amy Bunnage, Lucy Jenks, Sophia Kennedy.
6:45 p.m.: Women's 4x400 relay – H2: Stanford.