Distance Runners Rewrite Record Book at Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa – Air Force made several major improvements to the Academy Record Book this evening (April 28), as 12 members of the distance squad opened competition at the 112th Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. Highlighted by the top-three collegiate finishes in the men's 5000-meter run and a runner-up placement in the 10,000-meter run, the Falcons had a strong opening night on the Blue Oval.

Sophomore Luke Combs and senior Ryan Ioanidis used the seventh- and eighth-fastest times in Air Force history to claim the top two collegiate finishes in the 5000-meter run. Combs, who placed second overall in the 26-runner event, deleted nearly three seconds from his time to move into seventh on the program's all-time standings with a mark of 13:50.59, while Ioanidis, who finished third in his first outdoor 5000-meter run, debuted at No. 8 in the Academy Record Book (13:50.74). In his first outdoor 5K since 2019, senior Will Kitzhaber completed the Falcons' 1-2-3 sweep of the collegiate finishers, as he posted a career-best 14:02.47 to finish sixth overall and debut at No. 18 on the program's all-time standings. Sophomore Eli Bennett joined the trio within the top 10 over the full field, as he placed 10th with a time of 14:08.78.

The two members of the women's team that competed on Thursday night both improved their placement on the program's Top 10. Halle Hamilton bettered her own Freshman Class Record in the 5000-meter run for the third time this month, as she posted a personal-best time of 16:21.29 to finish seventh out of 24 runners in the seeded section and move into fifth on the program's all-time standings, while sophomore Rayna Fruchey bettered her mark in the steeplechase for the third time in as many races this month (10:49.99) to improve her own No. 6 standing.

Back on the men's side, sophomore Sean Maison added the 20th-fastest 1500-meter time in program history, as he posted a five-second PR of 3:46.76 win his section and place 10th in the full 29-runner field. Junior Ethan Marshall was the top DI finisher – and second overall – in the 10,000-meter run after clocking a time of 29:36.19 to finish more than 30 seconds ahead of the next competitor, while freshman Bryce Lentz used a time of 8:49.51 – a mark just 0.40 shy of his PR – to finish fourth out of 41 runners in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

Air Force returns to the Blue Oval tomorrow (April 29) for the second day of action at the Drake Relays.

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