Azusa, Calif. – True Freshman Tayvon Kitchen broke the BYU 5000-meter outdoor school record by more than six seconds Friday evening at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
The Central Point, Oregon product came across the line in 13:16.27 and finished third overall in the event, marking the third fastest performance in the event in the NCAA this season. He knocked off Casey Clinger's BYU record set in 2022 by more than six seconds. Kitchen claimed his second school record after taking the indoor 3000-meter record earlier this year. The freshman, who also holds the No. 2 all-time BYU record in the indoor 5000-meter, set a personal record in the event breaking his indoor personal best by nearly three seconds.
“It's historic, and it means a lot to me“ Kitchen said of his record breaking performance, “Taking the record from a guy like Casey Clinger, he's an incredible athlete, and BYU is an amazing school with an amazing program that trained guys now running at the top of the world. So to put myself on a list with names like Clinger and Connor Mantz, it's so special and a dream come true for me."
Kitchen was joined in the event by fellow school record holder Carter Cutting who recorded his first collegiate 5000m time finishing in 13:51.05 and taking 25th in his heat. Garrett Stanford won his heat of the event in 13:48.99 to set a personal record and mark his first time finishing under 13:50. Jefferson McMullin also made an appearance taking 10th in his section in a personal-best 13:59.32.
Brayden Packard competed in the 800-meter, recording his first time under 1:50 with a time of 1:49.58. The sophomore was joined in the event by Caleb Johnson
Thursday evening Creed Thompson led the distance crew in the 10,000 meter finishing fifth in a time of 29:42.00. Hunter Kitchen made his collegiate debut in the event finishing ninth and finishing in a time of 28:15.08 with teammates Dalton Mortensen, Davin Thompson, Jacob Stanford and Noah Jenkins all appearing alongside Kitchen and Thompson in the event.
Isaac Hedengren finished 11th in the 3000-meter steeplechase Thursday evening in a time of 8:35.56 joined by Jackson Henstrom and Max Davis.
Up Next
The Cougars return home to host the Robison Invitational at the Clarence F. Robison Track and Field on April 29 through May 2.