Clinger shatters school record in 3000m at Razorback Invitational

FAYTTEVILLE, Ark. — No. 7 BYU men's track and field claimed seven new program top-10 marks and 10 new personal records Saturday as Casey Clinger clocked the fastest 3000-meter time in school history, surpassing current BYU Director of Track and Field Ed Eyestone’s 38 year-old school record with a 7:43.96 time to finish first overall in the event.

“What an amazing day of top-flight performances,” Eyestone said. “I’m happy to relinquish my school record in the 3000m to Casey Clinger. He’s worked hard and executed a perfect race against top national competition to claim the victory and the school record.”

Clinger’s feat came against a number of top runners in the country, including Stanford’s 2022 NCAA Division I Cross Country Champion Charles Hicks. In all, the senior placed ahead of six All-Americans from November’s cross country championship. Aidan Troutner and Joey Nokes also broke into BYU’s all-time top-10 during the 3000m with fifth and sixth-place finishes as both improved on their personal bests by nearly 20 seconds.

Sebastian Fernandez surpassed his nearly two-month-old top-10 record in the 800-meters, vaulting from No. 5 to No. 3 all-time as he took first overall with a 1:47.63 time among a field of 40 competitors. The sophomore came within 0.38 seconds of the Razorback Invitational meet record.

“Sebastian delivered today, patiently weaving his way in the last 200 meters for a victory,” Eyestone said.

In the 400-meters, Josh Taylor registered a top-10 program mark with a 46.58 time, good for No. 2 all-time at BYU. The mark brings him just 0.34 seconds away from breaking the school record. Taylor wrapped up at sixth overall among athletes from six nationally-ranked schools in the event.

In the mile, Kenneth Rooks clocked a 3:59.65 to become sixth all-time at BYU, besting Paul Cummings’ mark set in 1975. The sophomore from Walla Walla, Washington improved upon his last personal record by nearly five seconds.

Ben Barton rounds out the seven Cougars to claim a program top-10 mark. For the final heptathlon results, Barton earned 5,525 points across the seven events to become No. 6 all-time. Barton took seventh overall and nationally-ranked Dallin Vorkink took eighth.

Additional personal records include Eli Hazlett in the 400m (47.43), Christian Allen (7:55.00) and Luke Grundvig (8:07.65) in the 3000m.

The Cougars now prepare for competition at Boston's David Hemery Valentine Invitational and Texas Tech's Jarvis Scott Open on Feb. 10-11. 

BYU women's distance is back on the road for Wake Forest's Camel City Invitational in Winston-Salem, North Carolina Feb. 3-4. The remainder of the Cougars' athletes now prepare for competition at Boston's David Hemery Valentine Invitational and Texas Tech's Jarvis Scott Open Feb. 10-11.