MANKATO, Minn. – For the second time in as many weeks,
Clara Mayfield (Jr./Manhattan, Kan./Manhattan) broke a school record while posting the season's top time in the country for the event. Last week, it was the mile run; this time around she eclipsed the 33-year-old team standard in the 3000-meter run while racing on Day 1 of the Mark Shuck Open hosted by Minnesota State-Mankato.
Mayfield's time of 9:35.77 on Friday broke the mark of 9:39.86 established by Anna Prineas as the national runner up at the 1989 NCAA Championships. It also represents the top time in NCAA Division III since Feb. 2, 2019.
Some combination of Mayfield and Fiona Smith of the College of Saint Benedict ran 1-2 the entire race. Smith grabbed the early lead, but Mayfield stayed right on her hip throughout the first 11 laps. Mayfield pushed in front midway through lap 12, only to have Smith re-gain the lead at the start of the penultimate lap.
Running on Smith's hip as the bell rang for the final lap, Mayfield sprinted to the outside on the first turn of the final lap and slowly opened up a gap en route to a 1.6-second margin of victory.
Helen Cross (So./Nederland, Colo./Nederland),
Sophie McManus (Fy./McCall, Idaho/McCall-Donnelly), and
Libby Rowland (Fy./Tulsa, Okla./Holland Hall) finished eighth, ninth, and 10th, respectively, out of 36 runners over the two heats. These three Knights also posted personal best times in the event: 10:31.04, 10:37.33, and 10:47.27.
"For my entire coaching career at Carleton College, this particular school record set by Anna Prineas in 1989 has eluded numerous All Americans," said head coach
Donna Ricks. "Clara has had her sights set on the 3k record since she stepped on campus, and tonight was her night. She ran with confidence and composure throughout the entire race. As she crossed the finish line, she knew she accomplished a tremendous feat.
"Across the board,
Helen Cross, Sophie Mc Manus and
Libby Rowland took advantage of the competition, gaining valuable indoor racing experience."
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will send a couple of student-athletes to compete at the St. Olaf Pentathlon, while the rest of the squad will return to Mankato for Day 2 of the Mark Schuck Open.
