#NCAATF m5000: DID YOU SEE THAT FINISH?! Epic, meet-record @thebowerman battle won by Lalang over Cheserek! pic.twitter.com/o81XHLsgz5
— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) June 14, 2014
Arizona track and field most historic runner is still racking up championships.
Distance runner Lawi Lalang went to Hayward Field in Oregon with his most difficult task coming in the 5,000-meter, where he would have to be Oregon Ducks freshman Edward Cheserek. That he did.
Lalang set a meet record at the legendary track in Eugene, Ore., on Friday with a 13:18.36 time, clipping Cheserek in the final 100 meters and beating him by 0:00.35 seconds. The victory was Lalang's eighth career NCAA championship, and he'll have a shot at earning his ninth tomorrow after qualifying for the final in the 1,500-meter.
The finish for Lalang was the fourth-fastest time for a 5,000-meter in NCAA history, while Cheserek's finish ranks eighth overall.
Lawi Lalang! #8. 13:18.36. NCAA Champion in the 5K. Cheserek kicked too early and Lawi passed him in the last 100m. #BackToBackTitles
— Arizona Track&Field (@ArizonaTrack) June 14, 2014
Lalang broke NCAA meet record by 17 seconds, set in 1981.
— Greg Hansen (@ghansen711) June 14, 2014
In addition, Cheserek's time is No. 8 in NCAA history. Event winner Lawi Lalang of Arizona's time, 13:18.36, is No. 4. #GoDucks #NCAATF
— Rob Moseley (@GoDucksMoseley) June 14, 2014
#NCAATF: m5000. This race not only had best two all-time time in NCAA meet history, but first time top 8 under 13:40 (today all under 13:35)
— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) June 14, 2014