Ferlic, representing adidas, edges Seddon, Blomberg and Rooks to prevail in 8:27.17 in first steeplechase race since July; Furlan benefits from fall by Karinauskaite in women’s 3,000 steeplechase to earn win, with Ma and Meli securing 10,000 victories, as well as Morais and Carreon taking top javelin spots

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

WALNUT, Calif. – Mason Ferlic recalled an appearance at Mt. San Antonio College’s Hilmer Lodge Stadium in 2021 and his victory in the 5,000 meters at the USATF Golden Games being a catalyst for a season that included securing a berth to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Ferlic hoped a win Thursday night in his season opener in the invitational elite 3,000 steeplechase at the 64th Mt. SAC Relays Presented by Nike would result in creating similar momentum in his pursuit of qualifying to race in August at the Paris Olympics.

Ferlic, representing adidas, prevailed in 8 minutes, 27.17 seconds, including a final two laps that included repeated surges from British competitor Zak Seddon (8:27.81) and Swedish athlete Emil Blomberg (8:28.11), in addition to a 59.51-second last 400 from reigning U.S. champion Kenneth Rooks, who placed fourth in 8:28.33.

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It marked the first track performance from Ferlic since clocking 8:16.03 in July at the Monaco Diamond League.

Unfortunately, the women’s invitational elite 3,000 steeplechase wasn’t able to showcase a similar thrilling finish, especially after leader Greta Karinauskaite of Cal Baptist, representing Lithuania, endured a hard fall in the water pit after slipping in an attempt to clear the barrier while racing with a commanding lead at the 2-kilometer mark.

Canadian athlete Jessica Furlan, representing Excel Athletika, took over as leader when Karinauskaite was unable to finish and triumphed in 9:50.88 in her first steeplechase competition since the NACAC Championships in August of 2022 in the Bahamas.

Poppy Tank, the reigning British champion, was competing in her first steeplechase race in the U.S. and placed second in a personal-best 10:00.17. Ryley Fick, a Long Beach State graduate representing Performance Elite Running Club, took third in a lifetime-best 10:04.03.

The women’s invitational elite javelin throw competition did feature an exciting conclusion, with Norwegian athlete Arianne Morais of UTEP secured back-to-back titles by rallying in the sixth round with a mark of 187-10 (57.26m) to surpass Italian standout and UCLA graduate student-athlete Federica Botter at 187-8 (57.22m).

Morais triumphed last year with a 188-3 (57.38m) performance.

David Carreon, a Mexican competitor representing Fortaleza, won the men’s invitational elite javelin competition with a third-round effort of 250-4 (76.31m).

USC’s Leif Nelson was the top collegiate competitor, placing second overall at 232-9 (70.94m).

Freshman Josphat Meli of Harding University, representing Kenya, secured victory in his first collegiate 10,000-meter race, delivering a dominant performance by clocking 28:38.41.

Meli elevated to the No. 24 all-time competitor in NCAA Division 2, including No. 5 this season, with his effort.

XiuZhen Ma from China won the women’s invitational elite 10,000 in 33:58.77 after taking third last year.