Payton Jordan Invite
The Oiselle birds are just a LITTLE BIT EXCITED for the 2014 Payton Jordan Invitational. Buckle your seatbelts for another epic meet.
Sunday, May 4th, 2014 at Stanford University
Running events: 4pm - 10pm
History
In memory of Payton Jordan (1917-2009), long time Stanford coach and visionary thinker. From Stanford’s website: “Payton had the exceptional ability to inspire people to expand their wings and fly to new heights.” In other words, he was our kind of guy. And this meet has produced amazing performances since its inception. Just watch Chris Solinsky’s 26:59 10K from 2010 Payton Jordan and if you don’t get psyched you might actually be dead. The @Flotrack reporting alone will give you goose bumps.
This year will be no different. Even though it is still “early season” for athletes racing the whole European season, everyone’s getting ready to get out there and compete. The fields are loaded, I’m getting jacked just looking at the lists.
Just a few highlights
Women's 800
Oiselle’s Lauren Wallace, OTC’s Anne Kesselring and Shannon Leinert, the always stellar Maggie Vessey, Brooks Beast Erica Moore, NOP's Treniere Moser, and our favorite collegians Savannah Camacho, Justine Fedronic, and Amy Weissenbach. Talk about loaded…can I say that again?
Women’s 1500
Our ladies Kate Grace and Amanda Mergaert, with HS standout Elise Cranny, Cory McGee, NOP's Shannon Rowbury, OTC's Jemma Simpson…plus more!
Women’s 3K Steeple
Featuring Oiselle’s Megan Rolland fresh off her first sub-10 steeple and Collier Lawrence, plus Sara Hall, Shalaya Kipp, Brooks Beast Jamie Cheever (9:29 here last year), Colleen Quigley, Sara Vaughn who is on a hot streak, and …wait for it… former US record holder Anna Willard returning to steeple after a six year hiatus!
Women’s 5K
Whoa. More craziness. I can’t wait for this race! Oiselle’s Amanda Winslow, Lauren Penney, and Mel Lawrence. Iona’s Kate Avery, Brooks Beast Angela Bizzari and her training buds Brie Felnagle, Jessica Tebo, and Katie Mackey; Helen Clitheroe from England, Ashley Higz and Nicol Traynor from NJNY, OTC’s Alexi Pappas, and hot streaker Laura Thweatt. Plus like 60 other fast women.
Women’s 10K
You are not going to want to leave the track early. This promises to be epic, so bring an extra voicebox. We’ve got our own Kara Foster chasing a PR. NOP's Jordan Hasay, OTC's Sally Kipyego, Saucony's Molly Huddle, Kim Conley from New Balance, and Betsy Saina are going to be chasing a wicked fast time…I wouldn’t be shocked to see this go low 31…or even under?
OK, and not to leave the men out...
Men’s 800m
Seattle faves Casimir (Cas) Loxsom and Mark (Wizzo) Wieczorek battling NJNY Mike Rutt and Arkansas Pat Rono.
Men’s 5K
Another stacked bunch, NOP Centro, Schumacher athletes (aka BTC) Jager and Lomong, Donn Cabral from NJNY, new US competitor Diego Estrada, Ryan Hill, and Buffalo frosh phenom Ben Saarel. Look for some blood n guts.
Wazzies off to the race...
From HQ: Sally Bergesen, Kristin (KMet) Metcalf, Lesko x 2 (Bob and Sarah).
From near and far: Lauren (Flyer) Fleshman and Kara Goucher...I wanna #fangirl those fangirls!
And our racers: Kate Grace, Amanda Winslow, Megan Rolland, Mel Lawrence, Kara Millhouse, Lauren Wallace, Amanda Mergaert, and Lauren Penney.
Keep up with the action!
Follow @oiselle, @oiselle_team, and @pickybars for the fun, shenanigans, and behind the scenes reporting.
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