Oklahoma State University Athletics
Ryan Smeeton Runs NCAA Lead, World Standard at Payton Jordan
May 03, 2019 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
STANFORD, California—Oklahoma State's Ryan Smeeton set the NCAA lead, ran the World qualifying standard and the second-best time in the world this year in the invitational section of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Payton Jordan Invitational on Thursday night.
Smeeton won the race with a time of 8:27.90. Smeeton split 1:02.82 in his final 400 meters to seal his victory and cement himself atop the NCAA. Smeeton is ahead of the second-best time in the NCAA by over three seconds.
"I was excited to see what Ryan did," said Dave Smith, Director of Cross Country and Track and Field. "It was just an incredible performance from Ryan. It's just a testament to the hard work he's been putting in all year. Him and coach (Dick) Weis have been thinking something like this is going to happen."
Smeeton also sits at No. 2 in the World this year with his performance. He trails only John Koech by about two seconds.
Smeeton also ran a time better than the World standard of 8:29.00, which means Smeeton has earned a spot in the 2019 IAAF World Championships should he be chosen to go by his home country of Canada. The 2019 IAAF World Championships take place from Sept. 27-Oct. 6 in Doha, Qatar.
Smith said he is excited for Smeeton to potentially compete at the World Championships.
"If (Smeeton) makes that world championship team, it changes your career," Smith said. "It's the pinnacle of the sport. He has brought his PR down by 27 seconds this year, and he still has more to go. He's running well going into championship season."
The rest of the Oklahoma State track and field teams see action at the Arkansas Twilight in Friday to close out the regular season.
Smeeton won the race with a time of 8:27.90. Smeeton split 1:02.82 in his final 400 meters to seal his victory and cement himself atop the NCAA. Smeeton is ahead of the second-best time in the NCAA by over three seconds.
"I was excited to see what Ryan did," said Dave Smith, Director of Cross Country and Track and Field. "It was just an incredible performance from Ryan. It's just a testament to the hard work he's been putting in all year. Him and coach (Dick) Weis have been thinking something like this is going to happen."
Smeeton also sits at No. 2 in the World this year with his performance. He trails only John Koech by about two seconds.
Smeeton also ran a time better than the World standard of 8:29.00, which means Smeeton has earned a spot in the 2019 IAAF World Championships should he be chosen to go by his home country of Canada. The 2019 IAAF World Championships take place from Sept. 27-Oct. 6 in Doha, Qatar.
Smith said he is excited for Smeeton to potentially compete at the World Championships.
"If (Smeeton) makes that world championship team, it changes your career," Smith said. "It's the pinnacle of the sport. He has brought his PR down by 27 seconds this year, and he still has more to go. He's running well going into championship season."
The rest of the Oklahoma State track and field teams see action at the Arkansas Twilight in Friday to close out the regular season.
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