Forrest runner-up in epic NCAA 10K

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorback Shawn Forrest and Oregon Duck Galen Rupp ended the second day of the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday in dramatic fashion with an exciting 10,000-meter race.

Battling among the top three, with Liberty’s Sam Chelanga, Forrest and Rupp left the pack behind early. Taking turns leading, Forrest moved with 800 meters to go. Unable to lose Rupp, Forrest was quickly passed and couldn’t challenge Rupp for the lead. Rupp took the win and crossed the finish line in a time of 28:21.45. Forrest quickly followed with a time of 28:24.53.

"What a great race for seniors Shawn Forrest and James Strang," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "We left some points out there today but I think Shawn and James picked us back up. Shawn couldn’t have done any better. Galen Rupp is an outstanding competitors and our hat is off to him. Dorian Ulrey looked really fit in today’s 1,500-meter prelim. I know he’s ready for a fast final Saturday."

Both Forrest and James Strang were running in front of their home crowd for the final time in their career. Forrest earned his third All-America honor of his career. Strang made a late push and went from out of scoring contention to sixth in the final 200 meters of his race. He finished in a time of 29:11.65. He earned his second All-America honor in an Arkansas jersey.

After two days of competition and four events scored, Oregon leads the team race with 20 points. The Razorbacks are second with 14 points and Arizona rounds out the top three with 11 points.

Arkansas also picked up two scorers in the long jump. Junior Alain Bailey finished seventh with his mark of 25-11.5 He earned the third All-America honor of his career and his first outdoors.

Senior and Bentonville, Ark. native Mychael Stewart was eighth in the scoring. His best jump of the day measured 25-11 to earn the second All-America honor of his career and his first outdoors.

The 1,500-meter prelims gave a great indication of what an exciting final Saturday holds in store. Razorback junior Dorian Ulrey ran a solid race, challenging for the heat win. He nearly passed Garrett Heath of Stanford but was good for second with a time of 3:44.58. He automatically advanced to the finals.

Senior Andy McClary was in great position in the same 1,500-meter heat as Ulrey but was unable to hold on at the end. He finished eighth in his heat and 16th overall with a time of 3:47.50. He did not advance to the final.

Senior Alex McClary finished eighth in his heat and 16th overall in the 800-meter semifinals. His time of 1:49.72 was not fast enough to advance to Saturday’s final.

Friday’s events will begin at 11 a.m. with the field events, 1:45 p.m. with the multi events and 6:05 p.m. with the running events. Arkansas’ first event of the day is the prelims of the triple jump at 3 p.m. with Nkosinza Balumbu and Tarik Batchelor.

For complete results and more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.