Burns achieves national high school record and Tuohy produces NCAA all-time mark in 5,000, Rooks becomes fastest American collegiate athlete in men’s 3,000 steeplechase and Wildschutt’s 10,000 performance among many top international efforts at Mt. SAC
By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor
WALNUT, Calif. – Before the main portion of the schedule Saturday at the On Track Fest, presented by Sound Running, Connor Burns provided an indication of how unique and memorable the event would be by producing a national high school record, as he and fellow prep standout both Tyrone Gorze rose to the occasion in a professional 5,000-meter field at Mt. San Antonio College.
Four hours later, following another Katelyn Tuohy NCAA record, a Kenneth Rooks all-time American collegiate mark, a dominant Josette Andrews performance, another fantastic finish from Yared Nuguse, a breakthrough steeplechase race by Krissy Gear, a down-to-the-wire battle involving Cooper Teare and Morgan Beadlescomb and an ambitious effort by Fiona O’Keeffe, Adriaan Wildschutt closed the evening by making history for South Africa in the 10,000 meters.
During that stretch, there were also food trucks, a beer garden and a two-act concert involving former Kentucky All-American and On Running athlete Chloe Abbott, as well as American rapper KYLE, who grew up in Ventura, 100 miles north of Hilmer Lodge Stadium.
The festival atmosphere off the track provided a complement to the most impressive distance carnival in the venue’s history, with stadium records achieved in the women’s 3,000 steeplechase, 5,000 and 10,000, along with the men’s steeplechase and 10,000 as well.
Burns, a senior at Southern Boone County High in Missouri, finished fifth in his 5,000 section in 13:37.30, eclipsing the 2004 mark of 13:37.91 achieved by Galen Rupp of Central Catholic High in Oregon.
John Heymans of Belgium, 25, won the race in 13:16.88.
Burns, who ascended to the No. 6 all-time American Under-20 competitor, will again be connected with Rupp during the next chapter of his career as well by competing at the University of Oregon.
Gorze became the second-fastest athlete in Oregon prep history by taking 10th in 13:45.81, elevating to the No. 6 all-time high school performer and 20th among American U20 competitors.
Gorze had attempted to take down the state high school 2-mile record of 8:41.5 achieved by Steve Prefontaine on April 21 at the Oregon Relays, but ran 8:46.5 at Hayward Field.
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