Van Deynze Leads Strong Zag Contingent In Twilight 5K
4/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga junior Braeden Van Deynze turned the bright lights into a big win, cruising to victory in the Twilight 5K during Friday night's opening session of the Duane Hartman Invitational.
Van Deynze won the men's 5,000 meters with a time of 15:00.44, finishing just four seconds from a season best. The Davis, Calif., native was one of eight members of the Gonzaga track team to finish in the top 10 while running under the lights at Spokane Falls Community College.
The GU women also dominated the women's 5K, placing five runners in the top six. Shelby Mills paced the Bulldogs, finishing second in the event with a personal record of 16:56.80, which bested her previous PR by about 40 seconds.
"Shelby ran a phenomenal race," GU women's coach Patty Ley said. "We had good, solid races across the board and strong efforts from everybody."
In addition to Mills, who competed in just her second 5K ever, Zoë Urcadez and Shelly Davis also set personal bests for the Bulldogs. Urcadez finished third at 17:28.56, while Davis placed fourth at 17:58.26. It was the first time in her career that Davis cracked the 18-minute barrier.
Van Deynze, meanwhile, narrowly edged fellow Zag Kyle Branch, who ran unattached. Branch finished approximately two seconds behind Van Deynze with a time of 15:02.85. Danny Lunder was just five seconds behind that mark, placing third at 15:07.30. The Bulldogs claimed the top seven spots in the event.
Full results from Friday's competition, including times for all Gonzaga runners, will be available Saturday evening.
The Duane Hartman Invitational continues Saturday at Spokane Falls Community College. Running events start at 10 a.m. The Bulldogs will compete in many of their signature races, including the 800 meters, the 1,500 and the steeplechase.
