LOS ANGELES — It was a great day to be Wisconsin men’s track and field distance runner as three past and current Badgers set personal bests in the 5000 meters to highlight action at the USATF LA Grand Prix Distance Classic.
Former UW standout Morgan McDonald ran a personal best of 13 minutes, 00.48 seconds in the “A” section of the event, earning him the Olympic qualifying standard and a 12th-place finish. A four-time NCAA champion at Wisconsin, McDonald finished second in the event at the Australian Athletics Championships last month. He was joined in the fast section by Mohammed Ahmed, who finished seventh with a season-best time of 12:54.22. A native of St. Catharines, Ontario, Ahmed was recently named to the Canadian Olympic Team in the 10,000 Meters.
Bob Liking ran the fastest time in program history in the 5000 meters as the senior crossed the line in 13:09.31 to finish fourth in the “B” section of the 5K. His time topped Chris Solinksy’s top mark of 13:12.24, set during the 2007 season. Liking beat former teammate Olin Hacker, who was fifth in 13:09.64.
Senior Jackson Sharp also earned a personal-best time in the 5000 meters, 13:17.08, which ranks fourth on the school’s top-10 list, trailing only Liking, Solinsky, and McDonald.
Good 5K day for the Badgers
Moh Ahmed – 12:53
Morgan McDonald – 13:00
Bob Liking – 13:09
Olin Hacker – 13:09
Jackson Sharp – 13:17
— Kyle Merber⏱️ (@TheRealMerb) May 18, 2024
Senior Abduallhi Hassan raced in the “C” section of the men’s 800 meters and took fourth in 1:47.96.
Badger alum Brenna Detra, a three-time All-American, placed ninth in the women’s “C” section of the 800 meters in 2:06.89.
Former Badger star Oliver Hoare will race in the men’s 1500 meters on Saturday at the USATF LA Grand Prix at 2:23 p.m. and fans can watch his race live on NBC.
USATF LA Grand Prix Distance Classic
Friday, May 17
Drake Stadium, Los Angeles
Results
Men’s 800 Meters (Section C)
4. Abdullahi Hassan – 1:47.96
Women’s 800 Meters (Section C)
9. Brenna Detra – 2:06.89
Men’s 5000 Meters (Section A)
7. Mohammed Ahmed – 12:54.22 (Season Best)
12. Morgan McDonald – 13:00.48 (Personal Best, Olympic Qualifying Standard)
Men’s 5000 Meters (Section B)
4. Bob Liking – 13:09.31 (School Best, Personal Best, US Olympic Trials Standard)
5. Olin Hacker – 13:09.64
10. Jackson Sharp -…
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