Photo by: Image of Sport
Maria Mettler Crushes Air Force’s 10K Record
12/5/2020 10:37:00 PM | Track and Field
With a time of 32:09.37, Metter qualified to the U.S. Olympic Trials.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – Maria Mettler kicked off her senior season in impressive fashion this evening (Dec. 5), as she posted an Academy-record 10,000-meter time of 32:09.37 to punch her ticket to this summer's U.S. Olympic Trials and win her 10K race at The Sound Running Track Meet in California.
Mettler took the lead of the 19-competitor race on the penultimate lap and, after trading the lead at the bell, cruised to the 32:09.37 victory. With that time – a mark well under the 32:25 qualifying standard to the Olympic Trials – Mettler accounted for the fastest 10,000-meter time in the United States this year – bettering the previous mark of 32:10.31 that former Academy standout Jaci Smith clocked in October.
Mettler, who was running in the first 10,000-meter race of her career, easily shattered the Academy's 10,000-meter record, taking 18.78 seconds from the previous record that Smith initially set in 2018. Her time also knocked 37.88 seconds off the program's four-year-old Senior Class Record.
Two former members of the Air Force distance team competed in the night's second 10,000-meter race, as Hannah Everson and Smith finished 25th (32:35.52) and 26th (32:35.52), respectively.
Mettler took the lead of the 19-competitor race on the penultimate lap and, after trading the lead at the bell, cruised to the 32:09.37 victory. With that time – a mark well under the 32:25 qualifying standard to the Olympic Trials – Mettler accounted for the fastest 10,000-meter time in the United States this year – bettering the previous mark of 32:10.31 that former Academy standout Jaci Smith clocked in October.
Mettler, who was running in the first 10,000-meter race of her career, easily shattered the Academy's 10,000-meter record, taking 18.78 seconds from the previous record that Smith initially set in 2018. Her time also knocked 37.88 seconds off the program's four-year-old Senior Class Record.
Two former members of the Air Force distance team competed in the night's second 10,000-meter race, as Hannah Everson and Smith finished 25th (32:35.52) and 26th (32:35.52), respectively.
Players Mentioned
1500m / 5000m
/ Track and Field
5000m / 10,000m
/ Track and FieldRyan Cole Interview - August 26th, 2025
Tuesday, August 26
Ryan Cole Interview - August 26, 2025
Tuesday, August 26
Ryan Cole Interview March 11, 2025
Tuesday, March 11
Ryan Cole Interview - March 11, 2025
Tuesday, March 11
