Fifty-three runners toed the line for the San Francisco State Distance Carnival 3,000-meter steeplechase Saturday. Barron Maizland beat them all. Maizland ran an amazing race, breaking the tape in 8:55.21, which is an NCAA Championships provisional qualifying mark and the fourth fastest in Chico State history.
The Wildcat of the Week likely secured a spot on the starting line at the NCAA Championships this March in Michigan with his masterful effort, beating his previous best time by better than 11 seconds.
The senior transfer from Orange Coast Community College currently ranks third in Division II after Saturday's race. It's also the 20th fastest collegiate effort across all levels thus far this season.
Maizland, who also boasts an NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the 1,500 meters this season, will take a shot at moving up on that list Saturday night at the Chico State Twilight Invitational at University Stadium.
