Wil Smith Places 40th in 10K Semifinal

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Gonzaga track opened their week at the NCAA West Preliminaries on Wednesday at E.B. Cushing Stadium, as Wil Smith kicked off Zag racing in the men’s 10,000-meter semifinal.
 
In each of the semifinal events, the Top 12 finishers advance to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., June 11-14. Last year, Smith fell short with a 21st place finish in the 10K before bouncing back two days later with a third-place finish in the 5K to punch a ticket to Eugene.
 
On Wednesday, Smith opened the lone semifinal with the lead pack, hoping to keep pace before making a late move. At the halfway point, New Mexico’s Habtom Samuel pulled ahead and quickened the pace, bringing 13 other racers with him. For Smith, he would drop in with the second pack before finishing 40th in 29:50.05 among a tough West Region field.
 
Smith will return to the oval on Friday in the 5,000-meter semifinal, hoping to repeat last year’s 5K effort after missing a 10K qualifying finish. His race will begin at 6:10 p.m. PST and will stream on ESPN+.
 
UP NEXT
The Gonzaga women will get their first crack at the West Prelims on Thursday, as all six qualifiers are set to compete. Willow Collins will race in her first of two events, first in the 1500m before the 5K on Saturday. Ellie Armbruster will make her postseason debut, becoming the first 800m competitor in GU history, while Rosina Machu, Logan Hofstee, Jessica Frydenlund, and Alexi Fogo race in the 10,000-meters to wrap the evening. All events will stream live on ESPN+, with live results at www.gozags.com.