NEW YORK, NY — Iona College women’s indoor track junior Kate Avery and graduate student Rosie Clarke shined for the Gaels at the 108th New York Road Runners Millrose Games at the Armory Track & Field Center Saturday afternoon. Both harriers set school records in their respective events at the prestigious event.
Avery finished sixth overall and was the second collegiate finisher in the star studded 3,000-meter event. Avery’s time of 8:53.12 lowered her own school record in the event by more than three seconds. It was just the second time in school history a runner completed the 3k in lass than nine minutes. Avery set the mark last season at the Millrose games with a time of 8:56.20. Avery’s 3k time stands as the third fastest in the NCAA in 2015, just over a half second behind Arkansas’ Dominique Scott.
Former Texas Tech standout, three-time NCAA Cross Country Champion and 2012 Olympic Silver medalist Sally Kipyego was the 3k event winner in 8:41.72. Another former NCAA Cross Country Champion finished second in Betsy Saina, an Iowa State graduate.
Clarke competed in the prestigious Wanamaker mile. In the event, Clarke lowered the school record for the third straight time, completing the race in 4:31.78. Her previous best time was 4:35.01 set two weeks ago at the Terrier Invitational. Clarke’s time is the third fastest in the NCAA this season.
Former Duke Blue Devil and two-time United States Olympian Shannon Rowbury was the Wanamaker champion with a time of 4:05.08.