Josh Beam Clocks Fourth-Fastest Steeplechase Time in School History as Action at Victor Lopez Classic Gets Underway

HOUSTON – Claiming his fifth career win in the 3,000m steeplechase and clocking the fastest time in the event for a Little Rock runner since 2009, Josh Beam ran the fourth-fastest time in school history Friday evening at the Victor Lopez Classic.
 
Beam's time of 9:13.71 ranks fourth in school history and marks the second straight week the junior has won the event. He won the steeplechase at Central Arkansas last Saturday with a time of 9:24.14.
 
Nicholas Newby also found himself crossing the finish line first in his race as he ran 3:53.61 in the 1,500m. Racing past teammate Andrew Payton over the final 50 meters, Newby posted the ninth-fastest time in school history while Payton's time of 3:54.06 placed him second in that race and registered the 10^th-fastest time in school history. Final results of the event will be compiled Saturday as the final section of the 1,500m will take place.
 
Lindsey Hutcheson claimed bronze in the steeplechase on the women's side, running 11:31.24 to finish third, while Matilda Horton clocked 18:44.31 in the 5,000m to place 12^th.
 
The Trojans recorded a pair of fourth place finishes in the longer distance races. Spencer Cardinal's time of 14:53.16 was good enough for fourth in the 5,000m while Aaron Soltmann placed fourth in the 10,000m with a time of 33:01.17.
 
Earlier in the day, Allison Stigarll finished 12^th in the hammer with a throw of 150-7 (45.91m) while Casey Griffin finished 13^th on the men's side with a throw of 145-4 (44.30m).
 
Little Rock returns to the track Saturday in Houston as action continues at the Victor Lopez Classic hosted by Rice.
 
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