Colorado’s Abby Nichols breaks the Pac-12 10,000m record at the conference championship meet at Hayward Field, clocking 32:27.25. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

By Cassie Cole

A little rain didn’t stop the runners from achieving meet and personal records in the 10,000m on Friday evening at the Pac-12 Track and Field Championships. Day One of the championships at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon wrapped up with the women’s and men’s 10K races.

Meet Record for the Nichols

University of Colorado’s Abby Nichols ran her way to victory in the women’s 10k with a personal record of 32:27.25. This was a meet record as well, shaving 11 seconds off the previous mark of 32:38.73 from 2021. The Friday evening race was Nichols’ first 10k of the season and a satisfying win after finishing second at last year’s Pac-12 Championships.

“It’s just a lot of fun, you know, to get out there and see your hard work pay off,” said Nichols. “I’ve had a year to get even better and stronger and learn more about my strengths.”

Although University of Washington’s Haley Herberg led the women’s 10k for most of the race, Nichols stayed tucked in close behind, ultimately taking the lead in the final lap. For the Colorado standout, waiting until the last moment to move to the front was a gamble.

“I trusted that I had another gear or two, but you never know what the other runner has either,” said Nichols, explaining her race plan. “I didn’t know if I left it too long.”

Nichols wasn’t the only runner with a fresh take on the distance. Friday’s 10k was a first for Oregon’s Alessia Zarbo, who came in second with 32:28.57. The redshirt sophomore surprised herself with her time after coming into the race free of expectations.

“I was thinking it was gonna hurt real bad but I felt comfortable through 8k,” said Zarbo after the race. “Definitely happy with my race though.”

Colorado’s Emily Covert finished third and Herberg finished fourth. Both women ran a PR and the top four finishers all ran faster than the previous meet record.

Final Lap Frenzy

The men’s 10k also experienced a heated final lap. Although Stanford’s Charles Hicks finished in first with 28:11.17, Aaron Bienenfeld of Oregon led for much of the race. Hicks and Washington’s Kieran Lumb ran closely behind. Lumb ultimately finished second and Bienenfeld finished third.

Bienenfeld, who had not run a 10k in over a year, led the men’s race for 22 laps. He was cautious, however, knowing that it would come down to the final lap.

“You can lead the race for 24 laps and you can still end up in fifth, sixth,” said Bienenfeld after the race. “I was ready for anything the last lap.” Hicks and Lumb passed Bienenfeld right at the bell.

Stanford’s Charles Hicks soaks it all in on his bare-foot victory lap around Hayward Field after winning the Pac-12 Championship 10,000m on Friday. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

Help From the Jumbotron

Hicks knew the competition he was up against. Even as the defending Pac-12 10,000m champion, Hicks explained that he felt “a little scared” over the challenge of beating Bienenfeld and Lumb.

“I knew coming into this race that Lumb had an exceptional 1500, mile pedigree,” said Hicks. “I knew Bienenfeld as well was a very strong runner over long distances.”

“I was kind of fighting both sides of the coin of 10k talent, so to speak,” Hicks added.

As Hicks took the lead, he knew that Lumb was behind him. But Hayward Field’s new jumbotron, brightly lighting up the venue, revealed Lumb was closer than he thought.

“I look up there and he’s holding, step for step,” said Hicks. It took one last surge for Hicks to ensure victory over Lumb, who ran a PR of 28:11.49.

For Lumb, the race went according to plan. He knew that Hicks, who ran 27:40.16 in a 10k last month, was going to be the runner to follow.

“I just wanted to stay close with him and stay in contact and just try to stay as smooth as possible so that if and when he did make a move, I was there,” said Lumb.

Nationals on the Horizon

For the men and women who ran the 10k last night, the focus now turns to the national championships next month. The NCAA Championships, taking place in just three weeks, will also be held at Hayward Field. The race Friday night was a dress rehearsal of sorts for many of the athletes competing.

“It’s a good test for the next coming races like nationals,” said Nichols, who isn’t yet sure if she will run the 10k at the championships. Nichols also runs the 5,000m and will be competing in Sunday’s race.

Hicks has his eyes on nationals as well. “What I really wanted to come into this race doing was getting ready for nationals,” he said. “Especially because we’re at the venue, against great competition.”

With the competition of Friday’s 10k races alone, the NCAA Championships next month promise to be an exciting show.