BOSTON, Mass. – South Alabama track athlete Kirami Yego set a new school record and finished in the top-35 of the 5000m at the Sharon Colyear Invitational on the campus of Boston University Saturday evening.
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Yego finished the race in 13:38.45, besting the previous record held by David Kimani by four seconds (13:42.23). Â
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The time is a new Sun Belt Conference record, also held by Kimani which he set in 2000.
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Overall, Yego finished 33
rd out of 139 runners. Stanford's Ky Robinson finished in first place with a time of 13:11.53.
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Coach Parker Cowles
On Yego's performance:
"I'm really excited about Kirami's performance. Obviously, a new school record, and that's terrific, especially to take down a time that was put out by David Kimani, who won an NCAA title. I think it was great to see him in a race of this caliber. He was very patient and methodical. He came through the 3000m mark at 8:09, which is kind of what he wanted to do and what we discussed, and got faster from there. Then, he closed pretty hard. The caliber of guys in the straights I think kind of surprised him and how competitive it was at the end. But, we're really excited to get in under 13:40 and get the record."
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NOTES
- Yego beat his previous personal best by 27 seconds.
- He now has the first and third-fastest times in school history in the indoor 5000m.
- Yego finished seventh in his heat.
- Along with the top times in the 5000m, Yego also has the fifth-best time in the 3000m indoor event.
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