STANFORD, Calif. — Joey Berriatua has come a long way in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during his final season on the track. Santa Clara's redshirt senior posted a program-record 8:52.04 at the Payton Jordan Invitational on Thursday night, solidifying a spot in the NCAA West Regional Meet.
Berriatua's time is the 23rd-fastest in the nation this season; runners with the top 48 times automatically qualify for the second season. Less than two months after his first collegiate steeple, Berriatua has set two school records in four tries (9:00.50 at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival).