Michigan State University Athletics
Friday, June 7
Austin, Texas
Michigan State University
vs
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Kiprotich National Runner-Up in the 1,500m Photo Finish
6/8/2019 1:20:00 AM | Track and Field
For the second time in his career, the senior finishes second in the1,500m.
AUSTIN, Texas - In one of the closes races in event history, senior Justine Kiprotich finished second in the  men's 1,500m at the NCAA Track & Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas on Friday. This is his second runner-up performance after finishing second in 2017 and seventh in 2018.
Track Events
In one of the most exciting races of the meet, Kiprotich moved into first with less than 100 meters remaining. In the final meters of the race, Notre Dame's Yared Nuguse caught the senior, beating him by three one-thousandths of a second. The three-thousandths of a second margin is the closest in event history with fully-automatic timing (FAT). Mile races in 1945, 1942, and 1935 were tied to the tenth using hand timing.
"Justine was good from start to finish. He made really good decisions, and tried to win and that is all you can ask him to do. He just got beat by three one-thousandths of a second, and there is not much that you can say about that. I couldn't be more proud of him, and I couldn't be more disappointed for him. The value of your effort is far greater than what the outcome is. It has been fun to watch him grow up, and it is going to be hard to watch him leave," MSU Director of Track & Field Walt Drenth said.Â
Kiprotich's final career collegiate race was a personal best time of 3:41.39. His previous best was 3.41.89 at the Virginia Challenge earlier this season. He ends his Spartan career as a the first three-time outdoor All-American on the track under Coach Drenth.
"The first time that I was runner up; it was amazing. The second time, I am heartbroken. I wanted to come here and re-write my history. That was really close, and I had no idea who had won. I am happy for myself, and I am happy for Yared and all the competitors. I really want to thank my coaches for being very patient with me, and giving me an opportunity to be a part of this team," Kiprotich said after concluding his Spartan career.
Sophomore Morgan Beadlescomb made his NCAA Championship debut in the men's 5,000m. Despite the continuing heat, Beadlescomb remained in the pack for much of the race. The sophomore finished 13th with a time of 14:17.59, capturing second-team All-American honors. His career best time of 13:47.44 came at the Raleigh Relays in March. He is the first Spartan to earn All-American honors in the 5,000m since Caleb Rhynard in 2013.
Field Events
Michigan State had two athletes competing in field events. Sophomore Jerimiah Evans earned his first All-American honors when he was named to the second team in the discus, finishing ninth. He reached the final with a throw of 57.85m in his second attempt. The sophomore was the final athlete to advance to the final. With three more attempts, he wasn't able to surpass the 57.85m, but held on to ninth place.
Junior Asya Reynolds was the first Spartan in action in the heptathlon. Through the first four events, she is 18th with 3,222 points. She opened the heptathlon with the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.25. Through the first four events, she is 18th with 3,222 points. She captured 943 points and was just shy of her personal best time of 14.25 at the Virginia Challenge earlier this season. In the second event, high jump, Reynolds added 806 points with a jump of 1.66m. She breezed through the first five heights without a single miss, but after three attempts was unable to clear 1.69m. Reynolds continued to climb up the standings with 637 points in the shot put after throw of 11.64m. She closed the night with 836 points after running  a 25.56 in the 200m dash.
In the final day of action and the NCAA Outdoor Championships, the ladies once again take center stage. Reynolds will conclude action in the heptathlon with the long jump (2:30 p.m. ET), javelin (3:45 pm. ET) and the 800m (8:13 p.m. ET). Junior Dillon McClintock will compete in the final of the 1,500m at 6:41 p.m. ET.
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Track Events
In one of the most exciting races of the meet, Kiprotich moved into first with less than 100 meters remaining. In the final meters of the race, Notre Dame's Yared Nuguse caught the senior, beating him by three one-thousandths of a second. The three-thousandths of a second margin is the closest in event history with fully-automatic timing (FAT). Mile races in 1945, 1942, and 1935 were tied to the tenth using hand timing.
"Justine was good from start to finish. He made really good decisions, and tried to win and that is all you can ask him to do. He just got beat by three one-thousandths of a second, and there is not much that you can say about that. I couldn't be more proud of him, and I couldn't be more disappointed for him. The value of your effort is far greater than what the outcome is. It has been fun to watch him grow up, and it is going to be hard to watch him leave," MSU Director of Track & Field Walt Drenth said.Â
Kiprotich's final career collegiate race was a personal best time of 3:41.39. His previous best was 3.41.89 at the Virginia Challenge earlier this season. He ends his Spartan career as a the first three-time outdoor All-American on the track under Coach Drenth.
"The first time that I was runner up; it was amazing. The second time, I am heartbroken. I wanted to come here and re-write my history. That was really close, and I had no idea who had won. I am happy for myself, and I am happy for Yared and all the competitors. I really want to thank my coaches for being very patient with me, and giving me an opportunity to be a part of this team," Kiprotich said after concluding his Spartan career.
Sophomore Morgan Beadlescomb made his NCAA Championship debut in the men's 5,000m. Despite the continuing heat, Beadlescomb remained in the pack for much of the race. The sophomore finished 13th with a time of 14:17.59, capturing second-team All-American honors. His career best time of 13:47.44 came at the Raleigh Relays in March. He is the first Spartan to earn All-American honors in the 5,000m since Caleb Rhynard in 2013.
Field Events
Michigan State had two athletes competing in field events. Sophomore Jerimiah Evans earned his first All-American honors when he was named to the second team in the discus, finishing ninth. He reached the final with a throw of 57.85m in his second attempt. The sophomore was the final athlete to advance to the final. With three more attempts, he wasn't able to surpass the 57.85m, but held on to ninth place.
Junior Asya Reynolds was the first Spartan in action in the heptathlon. Through the first four events, she is 18th with 3,222 points. She opened the heptathlon with the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.25. Through the first four events, she is 18th with 3,222 points. She captured 943 points and was just shy of her personal best time of 14.25 at the Virginia Challenge earlier this season. In the second event, high jump, Reynolds added 806 points with a jump of 1.66m. She breezed through the first five heights without a single miss, but after three attempts was unable to clear 1.69m. Reynolds continued to climb up the standings with 637 points in the shot put after throw of 11.64m. She closed the night with 836 points after running  a 25.56 in the 200m dash.
In the final day of action and the NCAA Outdoor Championships, the ladies once again take center stage. Reynolds will conclude action in the heptathlon with the long jump (2:30 p.m. ET), javelin (3:45 pm. ET) and the 800m (8:13 p.m. ET). Junior Dillon McClintock will compete in the final of the 1,500m at 6:41 p.m. ET.
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Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Multi
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Saturday, May 11
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