A little rain, or a challenge from the reigning NCAA champion, did not detour NAU sophomore Colin Sahlman on Saturday night. In a stunning, but not entirely unexpected performance, Sahlman ran 3:33.96 to win the fastest heat in the Bryan Clay Invitational in the Los Angeles area.
Sahlman ran exceedingly well in the indoor season, but Saturday night’s performance was at a new level. It was the second fastest 1,500 in NCAA history, and he had to hold off defending national champion Nathan Green of Washington to do it.
Sahlman held back early in a quick pace. By the final bell lap, reported by broadcaster FloTrack, the pack was at 2:37.
That was when the pacer stepped off and Sahlman stepped up. He made a move immediately on the inside, while Oklahoma State’s Fouad Messaoudi and Green drifted a bit toward lane two. Sahlman pulled away from Messaoudi, but he and Green ran shoulder to shoulder along the backstretch, Sahlman a bit ahead.
On the final turn, though, with spectators huddled close to the track, Sahlman showed an impressive kick and put some distance on Green.
Sahlman’s run was the highlight of the third and final day at Bryan Clay.
Other highlights:
NAU senior Annika Reiss was 35th in the women’s 1,500, her 4:15.98 was the fifth fastest in NAU history. Running unattached, NAU transfer Alyson Churchill ran 4:19.30, while NAU’s Nikita Moore and Karrie Baloga ran 4:21.52 and 4:21.57, respectively.
Elsewhere in the men’s 1,500, former NAU star Luis Grijalva finished in 3:39.01, and former treammate Theo Quax 3:39.81. Current NAU runners Brodey Hasty and Caleb Easton ran 3:44.47 and 3:44.48, repsectively.
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