Remarkable performances by distance runners over the last three years have played an integral part in building the Princeton's men's track team into the best squad in the Ivy League and a regional powerhouse. This weekend, seniors Mike Spence and Chris Banks traveled to the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., and continued the Tiger tradition of dazzling results.
In only the second outdoor track meet of the year, Spence ran the 3000 meters in eight minutes, 46.13 seconds — setting a new school record and posting an NCAA qualifying mark.
"I think it's the number one time in the U.S. so far this year," head coach Fred Samara said. "It was a phenomenal performance."
"Mike ran great. He went out and just exceeded the high expectations that he had for himself and the expectations that our coach had for him. It was a great season-opening race," Banks said.
Team leader
Spence has been a leader of Princeton's cross country, indoor and outdoor track teams over the last few years, and he proved once more that he deserved his position with his incredible time in California.
Banks, meanwhile, ran the 10,000 in 29:16, which would have easily qualified him for NCAA competition in earlier years, but might fall short this year.
"It seems like this has been the fastest year ever [in terms of the 10,000]," Banks said. "This race was my best by about 20 seconds, but I'm hoping to run faster. I should be able to qualify at Penn Relays."
Regardless of the times that other athletes have posted this year, Banks ran an impressive 10,000.
"It was a tremendous race," Samara said. "All the top athletes from around the country were there. Overall, I would say it was a very worthwhile trip for us."
Continued success
The two Tigers carried over their momentum from the recently ended indoor season. With two of Princeton's key distance runners nearly in midseason form, the Tigers should be in good shape going into the heart of the outdoor season.
"It was a very good weekend and a productive trip. We got to go out there and compete with some of the best runners," Banks said.
While Spence and Banks ran at Stanford, the rest of the men's team rested in New Jersey and prepared for the Sam Howell Invitational, which will be held Saturday at Weaver Stadium. Princeton will host approximately 20 teams at the event.
After the trip across the country, Banks has different plans for the weekend.
"I think I'll just rest this weekend and get ready for the other meets coming up," he said.
None of Princeton's women raced this past weekend, but the Tigers are also competing in the Sam Howell Invitational. Both the men and women hope to use this meet as a early-season gauge of their progress to date.
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