Friday, June 11
Eugene, OR
6:55 p.m.
Gonzaga University
vs
NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships - Day Three
Photo by: Paul Merca
Mwaura Caps Season with Honorable Mention 5K Finish
6/11/2021 8:23:00 PM | Track and Field
Zags’ sophomore places 17th in 5,000-meter national final
EUGENE, Ore. – Gonzaga's James Mwaura was named honorable mention All-American after a 17th-place finish in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Friday. He crossed the line at 13:36.43 at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
Less than 48 hours after a second team All-American finish in the 10,000 meters, Mwaura completed the double with an impressive performance.
"I was tired physically from the beginning," Mwaura said. "I think it was a good experience though. I just pushed myself and fought through. I want to thank everyone for their support this week, it meant a lot. Love you guys and Go Zags!"
The top eight finishers are First Team All-American, while nine through 16 are second team. Mwaura was ranked 24th coming into the 5,000-meter 24-runner field, with the GU all-time best time of 13:36.18. He ran that school record at Hayward Field at the Oregon Relays on April 23.
"It was a great double for James, nearly a school record 5K," Director of GU Track and Field Pat Tyson said. "It was one of the greatest doubles in NCAA history. That was the fastest 5,000-race in NCAA Championship history. Great meet here in Eugene. James ran hard."
Mwaura advanced to the 5K national finals following a 13th place finish at the NCAA West prelims on May 29. He placed fourth in his heat with a time of 14:00.07.
Friday, Oregon's Cooper Teare ran a meet record time of 13:12.27 to win the event. Northern Arizona's Luis Grijalva (13:13.14) held off Athanas Kioko (13:13.47) of Campbell for second place.
Wednesday, Mwaura placed ninth in the 10K national final, shattering his own school record time at 27:50.44. He entered the race ranked 14th. His previous personal best was 28:27.49.
Troy Fraley placed seventh in the 3,000-meter steeplechase national final at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. His finish made him the first track All-American in Gonzaga history.
Less than 48 hours after a second team All-American finish in the 10,000 meters, Mwaura completed the double with an impressive performance.
"I was tired physically from the beginning," Mwaura said. "I think it was a good experience though. I just pushed myself and fought through. I want to thank everyone for their support this week, it meant a lot. Love you guys and Go Zags!"
The top eight finishers are First Team All-American, while nine through 16 are second team. Mwaura was ranked 24th coming into the 5,000-meter 24-runner field, with the GU all-time best time of 13:36.18. He ran that school record at Hayward Field at the Oregon Relays on April 23.
"It was a great double for James, nearly a school record 5K," Director of GU Track and Field Pat Tyson said. "It was one of the greatest doubles in NCAA history. That was the fastest 5,000-race in NCAA Championship history. Great meet here in Eugene. James ran hard."
Mwaura advanced to the 5K national finals following a 13th place finish at the NCAA West prelims on May 29. He placed fourth in his heat with a time of 14:00.07.
Friday, Oregon's Cooper Teare ran a meet record time of 13:12.27 to win the event. Northern Arizona's Luis Grijalva (13:13.14) held off Athanas Kioko (13:13.47) of Campbell for second place.
Wednesday, Mwaura placed ninth in the 10K national final, shattering his own school record time at 27:50.44. He entered the race ranked 14th. His previous personal best was 28:27.49.
Troy Fraley placed seventh in the 3,000-meter steeplechase national final at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. His finish made him the first track All-American in Gonzaga history.
Players Mentioned
/ Track and Field
Tuesday, June 30
Monday, June 29
Monday, June 29
Friday, June 26
