Oklahoma State University Athletics
Nichols Shines at Bryan Clay Invitational
April 15, 2016 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
WALNUT, Calif. – Clara Nichols stole the show for Oklahoma State Friday at the Bryan Clay Invitational when the junior Cowgirl finished the 800-meter run with the best collegiate time of the event and a new personal best.
"Clara had a fantastic day," coach Dave Smith said. "She ran a really aggressive race. She's turning into a different athlete and I'm really excited for her."
Nichols finished second in the 800-meter run in 2:04.64, but led all collegiate athletes by nearly two seconds.
"I think she's starting to see herself as an elite athlete," Smith said. "I know she still has a 2:03 or 2:02 in her and I think this was a breakthrough race for her."
Her time is the best in the Big 12 by a second and is the sixth-best in the West Region. It replaces her time from just a week ago as the fifth-best time in Cowgirl history.
Half an hour south in Walnut, California, the Mt. SAC Relays had two Cowgirls entered in the elite running of the 1,500-meters.
NCAA champion Kaela Edwards finished fifth in the event with a personal best time of 4:17.07 and Ingeborg Loevnes' 4:20.04 got her 12th.
"They were in a heat with a lot of bodies," Smith said. "They weren't too aggressive and you kind of have to be in a race with 22 people. But it was a good opening day for both of them."
In the men's 1,500 at the Bryan Clay Invite, Matthew Fayers ran a 3:44.57 to finish seventh in the fastest heat of the competition. He takes the Cowboy season lead in the 1,500 and jumps to No. 2 in the conference after just one race in the outdoor season.
"Kaela, Ingeborg and Fayers ran openers and it's hard to do something exceptional in your first race of the season," Smith said. "They had good debuts, but they'll all run again and put up better times as the season goes on."
Last year, Fayers qualified for the NCAA West Regional with a 3:43.71, and with his time this year, he sits in 22nd in the region.
The weekend concludes Saturday with several Cowboys and Cowgirls running in the 800-meter races at the Mt. SAC Relays.
Mt. SAC Relays | April 15, 2016 | Walnut, Calif.
Women's Results
1500 Meters Elite
5. Kaela Edwards – 4:17.07
12. Ingeborg Loevnes – 4:20.04
Bryan Clay Invite | April 15, 2016 | Azusa, Calif.
Women's Results
800 Meters
2. Clara Nichols – 2:04.64
4. Kaylee Dodd – 2:06.55
Men's Results
1500 Meters
17. Matthew Fayers – 3:44.57
"Clara had a fantastic day," coach Dave Smith said. "She ran a really aggressive race. She's turning into a different athlete and I'm really excited for her."
Nichols finished second in the 800-meter run in 2:04.64, but led all collegiate athletes by nearly two seconds.
"I think she's starting to see herself as an elite athlete," Smith said. "I know she still has a 2:03 or 2:02 in her and I think this was a breakthrough race for her."
Her time is the best in the Big 12 by a second and is the sixth-best in the West Region. It replaces her time from just a week ago as the fifth-best time in Cowgirl history.
Half an hour south in Walnut, California, the Mt. SAC Relays had two Cowgirls entered in the elite running of the 1,500-meters.
NCAA champion Kaela Edwards finished fifth in the event with a personal best time of 4:17.07 and Ingeborg Loevnes' 4:20.04 got her 12th.
"They were in a heat with a lot of bodies," Smith said. "They weren't too aggressive and you kind of have to be in a race with 22 people. But it was a good opening day for both of them."
In the men's 1,500 at the Bryan Clay Invite, Matthew Fayers ran a 3:44.57 to finish seventh in the fastest heat of the competition. He takes the Cowboy season lead in the 1,500 and jumps to No. 2 in the conference after just one race in the outdoor season.
"Kaela, Ingeborg and Fayers ran openers and it's hard to do something exceptional in your first race of the season," Smith said. "They had good debuts, but they'll all run again and put up better times as the season goes on."
Last year, Fayers qualified for the NCAA West Regional with a 3:43.71, and with his time this year, he sits in 22nd in the region.
The weekend concludes Saturday with several Cowboys and Cowgirls running in the 800-meter races at the Mt. SAC Relays.
Mt. SAC Relays | April 15, 2016 | Walnut, Calif.
Women's Results
1500 Meters Elite
5. Kaela Edwards – 4:17.07
12. Ingeborg Loevnes – 4:20.04
Bryan Clay Invite | April 15, 2016 | Azusa, Calif.
Women's Results
800 Meters
2. Clara Nichols – 2:04.64
4. Kaylee Dodd – 2:06.55
Men's Results
1500 Meters
17. Matthew Fayers – 3:44.57
Players Mentioned
Middle Distance
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