Edwards Cruises to NCAA 800-Meter Lead

Thursday, April 14

Walnut, Calif.

All Day

Oklahoma State University

Mt. SAC Relays

April 16, 2016 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

WALNUT, Calif. – After opening up her outdoor season by running the third-fastest Cowgirl 1,500-meter time ever Friday night, Kaela Edwards one-upped herself by running the new collegiate best in the country Saturday in the 800-meter run.

In one of the premier races of the weekend at the Mt. SAC Relays, Edwards was one of four collegiate athletes in a field of mostly professionals. The bright lights didn't bother the national champion as she ran an NCAA-leading 2:01.97 to finish runner-up.

"It's awesome," coach Dave Smith said. "It was her first 800 of the outdoor season in an incredible field. She beat some very talented runners and was closing in on a Laura Roesler with Nike toward the end."

The mark was also a personal best for Edwards and replaces her No. 2 time on the Cowgirl top-10 list.

"She could win a national title in the 800 the way she ran tonight," Smith said. "She could also win a title in the 1,500 because she's that talented. We'll see how the season plays out before we decide what she'll run in."

In the indoor season, Edwards found herself in a similar situation when she qualified for the 800-meter, mile and 3,000-meter runs at the NCAA Championships. She went on to win a national title in the mile.

Clara Nichols joined Edwards in the 800, but in a different heat and surpassed her personal best time from a day ago with a 2:04.45.

"It's her second personal best in 24 hours," Smith said. "Like I said, she's a different athlete now. Her attitude is changing, she's much more competitive and this weekend was big for her."

In the men's 800, Tre'Tez Kinnaird took to the track for the second time this outdoor season and set a new season's best with a 1:48.43.

"I think he competed well," men's middle-distance coach Bobby Lockhart said. "He made a small tactical move that may have cost him a couple of places, but he just needs more competitions and he'll be where he wants to be."

Kinnaird finished fourth in his heat and ninth overall, but his time does move him up on the Cowboy top-10 all-time list to third, a little more than a second away from the No. 1 time. His time also puts him in the top-10 of the West Region.

"Tre'Tez said he felt a little flat and some races you feel good some you feel bad," Lockhart said. "He gave 100 percent, though, and for his second race of the year, it was a pretty good day."

Up next, the OSU squad splits up to compete at meets at Arkansas, OU and Stanford with the Big 12 Outdoor Championships just a month away.

Mt. SAC Relays | April 16, 2016 | Walnut, Calif.

Women's Results

800 Meters
2. Kaela Edwards - 2:01.97
8. Clara Nichols – 2:04.45

Men's Results

800 Meters
9. Tre'Tez Kinnaird – 1:48.43