Logan Jolly runner-up in steeplechase with career best

AZUSA, California – Late evening racing in a cool, relaxed atmosphere provided Razorback Logan Jolly an opportunity to set a career best time of 9:45.47 as runner-up in the 3,000m steeplechase on the first day of racing in the Bryan Clay Invitational.

Jolly moved to No. 3 on the UA all-time list as she improved her previous best of 10:04.55, which ranked No. 7. Teammate Krissy Gear, the school record holder in the event at 9:38.62, finished third in the race with a 10:00.26.

“I knew I was due for a PR, so that was an exciting one to not just barely break it, but to come through with such a breakthrough,” stated Jolly. “I’ve been waiting on that for a couple of years, so it was exciting.

“Overall, I felt really good out there today. It was my rust buster for the steeple, which I haven’t raced in since last year, which was on a broken foot. Now I feel amazing out there doing what I love again and having some fun with it.”

The winner of the race was New Mexico’s Elise Thorner in 9:40.98, which improved the collegiate leading time for 2022 from the 9:51.43 set at the West Coast Relays by Greta Karinauskaite of Cal Baptist a couple of weeks ago. Jolly is currently second on the 2022 collegiate list heading into this weekend.

“I knew the pacer was trying to run 77s and 78s, so I knew that could be a PR. If I could hang on, I was going to have a good day. They did get away from me a little bit, but on the last couple of laps I kept trying to close that gap. I just used that to finish strong and do my very best.

“This is a really fun track. I had no idea what I was signing up for until I got out here tonight. It was so chill, a beautiful sunset, there are mountains in the background. It was great knowing we’re out here in perfect conditions and ready to run fast.”