More Syracuse Track records for Knight and Stoner

It was another outstanding weekend for the Syracuse Orange track and field teams. As we’ve said a lot over the last two years, both Justyn Knight and Paige Stoner led the way with new school records.

Stoner took the victory in the 3000m steeplechase at the Virginia Challenge in a time of 9:57.20. She dropped over five seconds off her previous record and has a top-five time in the country in the event. If Paige is able to keep this up, she could become Syracuse’s 1st women’s distance runner to be a First Team All American in all three seasons.

Justyn Knight traveled out to California to compete against some of the country’s best 1500m runners at the Bryan Clay Invitational. Knight dropped over three seconds from his previous Syracuse record in the event as he turned in a 3:36.07 while finishing second to New Mexico Lobos star Josh Kerr who set a new NCAA record with his 3:35.01. Knight’s time lands him in the top 10 NCAA performances of all-time, so he now is on that list for both the 1500 and 5k.

Back in Virginia, Aidan Tooker was the top collegiate runner in the men’s 3000m steeple with a time of 8:45.79 with Noah Affolder taking 4th in the event in 8:51.78. In the 1500m at Virginia, Philo Germano finished 4th in a time of 3:43.46. It will be worth keeping an eye on how Syracuse chooses to deploy their distance depth at the ACC Championships as they are looking to not only win conference titles but position athletes for the NCAA Regionals.

It’s possible that the Orange could send their largest group of distance runners to the NCAA Outdoor Championships if these performances continue.