THE HEAT PUT ITS MARK on the men’s 25-lapper, beating up on a number of the principals. Yet Stanford produced an impressive 1-2 with Ky Robinson taking the title in 28:10.96 over cross country champ Charles Hicks (28:12.20).
James Mwaura of Gonzaga led for the first mile (a swift 4:25) before yielding to Oklahoma State senior Isai Rodriguez, who slowed the tempo down for a couple of laps. Mwaura moved back to the front to speed things up again, passing 3200 in 8:56.72 — on pace for sub-28:00 but how long would that last in sticky conditions?
Finally, at 4K (11:15.39), Rodriguez took over again and the strung-out pack seemed content with his steady stream of 69-plus laps. Yet even with the punishing 90-degree heat (32C) and humidity, the tempo shed very few. One that did go was favored defending champion Dylan Jacobs of Tennessee, who started drifting back on lap 16, eventually finishing 14th.
At 8K (22:47.32), 9 remained in contention. Patrick Kiprop threw in a 65.93 circuit to take over the lead. The Stanford duo began moving up, with Hicks leading the way. With 800 left, the pace quickened noticeably.
At 500 to go, Robinson moved to the fore. Rodriguez tried to chase, but with each stride, Robinson stretched his lead. Hicks followed and even looked like he might have enough to kick with his Aussie teammate, but Robinson still had plenty. He closed with a 54.19, his last 800 taking just 1:56.85.
BYU’s Casey Clinger ended up 3rd in 28:13.63. Early leaders Mwaura (28:14.64) and Rodriguez (28:15.48) took the next 2 spots. The last time any school went 1-2 was Stanford in ’00.
“I wanted to stay out of trouble and not go anywhere near the lead,” said Robinson of the race plan. “Let those guys do the work.
“With 500m to go, there was still a big pack with us, and some people were looking a little tired. So, I made my move to the front. I was hoping I had the strength to hold it and keep on fighting those demons. In the last 100 I saw the big screen. I looked up and saw Charles on my shoulder and it just felt like practice, you know?
“We work together, we train together, we live just down the hall from each other, and so we’re best friends both on the track and off the track. To have someone your age and your best friend up there with you, and to finish 1 and 2, it’s fantastic. Couldn’t ask for…
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