Kelati sets championship meet record, runs fastest collegiate 10,000 time at venue other than Stanford’s Cobb Track and Angell Field; Fresno State’s Mattson repeats in heptathlon

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

New Mexico sophomore Weini Kelati produced one of the most impressive solo efforts by a collegiate athlete in the women’s 10,000 meters Thursday at the Mountain West Conference Championships at Buchanan High’s Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis, Calif.

Kelati eclipsed the championship meet record by clocking 32 minutes, 9.10 seconds, becoming the fourth New Mexico athlete in the past five seasons to win the 10,000 tite, joining teammate Ednah Kurgat from last season, along with Calli Thackery in 2016 and Alice Wright in 2015.

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Kelati, who went through the midway point at 15:48, also broke Kurgat’s program record of 32:14.27 from March 29 at the Stanford Invitational.

But those achievements were only part of what made Kelati’s effort so significant on the way to capturing her first career Mountain West outdoor title after winning indoor crowns the past two years in the mile and 3,000.

In addition to prevailing by 2:08 over runner-up Clare O’Brien of Boise State – the second-largest margin of victory in the 10,000 in championship meet history – Kelati ascended to the No. 4 collegiate performer this season and No. 29 in the world this year.

Kelati, who lowered her own Eritrean national record, elevated to No. 2 in conference history behind the 32:06.71 run March 29 by Boise State’s Allie Ostrander at the Stanford Invitational and the No. 16 all-time collegiate performer. She is also the No. 16 all-time collegiate outdoor performer in the 5,000 at 15:22.71.

Kelati’s performance was also the fastest 10,000 effort ever achieved by a collegiate female athlete at a venue other than Stanford’s Cobb Track and Angell Field, which has showcased the top 15 NCAA all-time performers at either the Stanford Invitational or Payton Jordan Invitational.

Kelati earned that distinction by moving just in front of former Kansas star Sharon Lokedi, who won last year’s NCAA Division 1 crown at Hayward Field in 32:09.20.

Junior Eric Hamer extended Colorado State’s title streak in the men’s 10,000 to three years in a row, prevailing in 30:34.86, followed by Wyoming’s Christopher Henry (30:44.60) and Boise State’s Riley Campbell (30:45.66). The start of the race was delayed 75 minutes because of the presence of lightning less than 10 miles from the stadium.

Jerrell Mock had captured the past two 10,000 titles for the Rams, leading a sweep of the top four spots by the Rams last season, including Hamer in third place.

Hunter Powell helped Colorado State secure a fourth decathlon title in five years with a personal-best 7,386 points, with teammate Nick Kravec taking second with 7,272 points.

Fresno State senior Jestena Mattson achieved a significant improvement in the women’s heptathlon, producing a personal-best 5,635 points to become the first female athlete to repeat as champion since San Diego State’s Allison Reaser (2011-13) and just the fourth back-to-back winner in conference championship history.

Mattson, who produced the highest winning score at the conference final since 2014, improved from her 5,511-point effort at last year’s championship meet and elevated to the No. 11 collegiate performer this year.