Senior Miles Dunbar’s illustrious career is coming to a close. However, instead of with a whimper, Dunbar is going out screaming. Dunbar’s winning time of 14:38.53 in Friday night’s Chico State Distance Carnival 5,000 meters marked a personal-record time by 13 seconds. The product of Kodiak, Alaska, has earned the Wildcat of the Week award.
Dunbar’s toughness – his greatest asset – came through loud and clear Friday. After averaging 71-second laps for most of the race, Dunbar dialed down his times down the stretch. His final three laps were 69 seconds, then 67 and 65, respectively. And he covered the final half lap in 33 seconds.
Dunbar’s performance came exactly one week after he just missed an NCAA Championship provisional qualifying time by four seconds in the steeplechase early Friday morning at the Stanford Invitational. Dunbar finished 13th, crossing the line in 9:24.54. His time was just 15 seconds shy of a PR.
Dunbar will attempt to notch an NCAA qualifying mark in the steeplechase on Friday, April 27, at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational in Berkeley.
