Cornell’s Isaac vanWestrienen completed a stellar sophomore indoor season Saturday running his second distance event of the 2024 NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships at Virginia Beach Sports Center.
The Midwest Conference champion and school-record holder finished 19th in the men’s 3000-meter run with a time of 8:34.21. VanWestrienen held the nation’s top time in the event (8:03.97) heading into the Championships.
VanWestrienen, who took 18th in Friday’s 5000, became Cornell’s first-ever male athlete to compete in two distance races at the same NCAA indoor meet.
UW-La Crosse’s Ethan Gregg repeated as 3000 champion, pacing the 20-man field with a mark of 8:07.80. Christian Patzka of UW-Whitewater was runner-up in 8:10.71.
The top-eight all-America cutoff time was 8:11.40.
VanWestrienen etched his name on three indoor school records – 3000, 5000 and distance medley – during an impressive first season with the Rams. The MWC Track Performer of the Year swept the 3000 and 5000 races at the MWC Championships and earned all-region honors in three events.
VanWestrienen helped the Rams to a No. 17 national ranking.
VanWestrienen also was the leader early in the 5000 meter run. He finished 18th overall in the race, crossing at 14:39.22. The sophomore school-record holder entered the Championships with the fourth-fastest qualifying mark (14:00.90).
VanWestrienen set the initial pace in a loaded 5000 field that featured six returning NCAA qualifiers. He charged to the front of the 20-man pack after the first lap and led through the 1200-meter mark before ultimately getting chased down.
Christian Patzka of UW-Whitewater successfully defended his title with a winning time of 13:59.92. He held off a late kick from UW-La Crosse’s Ethan Gregg, who took second in 14:00.30.
The top-eight all-America cutoff time in 3000 was 14:05.92.