McKenzie grad runs to win

Named Big Sky Athlete of the Week

STANFORD, CA: Senior Sarah Dean (formerly Hanchett) set a near-50-second personal best running of 10,000 meters Sunday while competing at the Payton Jordan Invitational. The McKenzie High School graduate finished in 34:00.32, over 48 seconds better than the 34:49.18 she ran at the Stanford Invitational earlier this season.

Dean’s time vaults her into the Big Sky lead in the women’s 10,000 meters this season, and ranks her in the top 30 nationally. Additionally, Dean now ranks 16th on the NCAA West Outdoor Qualifying list, essentially assuring her of finishing in the top 48 in the region and qualifying for the NCAA West Preliminary meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas, later this month.

On Tuesday, the Big Sky Conference Women’s Track named her Athlete of the Week.

Dean’s time also moves her within nine seconds of Debbie Myra’s 27-year-old school record of 33:51.40 in the women’s 10,000 meters, and ranks her 10th all-time in the event within the Big Sky Conference.

She was running among an elite field in Stanford that was filled with professional and international runners. Nike OTC Elite’s Sally Kipyego won the event in 30:42.26.

Dean had not competed in the women’s 10,000 meters before this season, but has excelled since debuting in the event at the Stanford Invitational.

The Vikings will next compete at the Oregon Twilight Friday, May 9th, which will be their final tune-up before the Big Sky Outdoor Championships.

Image above: Photo By Larry Lawson Senior Sarah Dean finished the 10,000 meters in 34:00.32 Sunday among an elite field at the Payton Jordan Invitational. Dean’s time leads the Big Sky this season, and moves her up to 10th all-time in the Big Sky Conference.

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