BIRMINGHAM – Jax State freshman distance specialist Elsa Chan shined once again over the weekend, claiming the 10,000-meter title at Samford en route to another new school record.
 
The freshman from Brisbane, Australia, turned in a time of 36:15.44 to undercut former Gamecock Ericka Stam's 2014 school mark (36:17.23) by two seconds. More impressively, Chan wasn't being pushed down the stretch as she ran away from Troy's runner-up by almost five minutes.
 
"Elsa has had a very strong season," said head coach Jeremy Provence afterwards. "In four meets she has competed in four different events demonstrating incredible range. The most impressive thing is just how controlled she looks no matter the event. Elsa does a great job of keeping things simple and competing hard."
 
"Her 10K performance was the one I'm most excited about. It was a small meet, her first time running the 10K, and the weather pushed back the start multiple times. This performance exemplified her resilience and toughness."
 
Named JSU's women's cross country MVP at last week's inaugural Gamecock Choice Awards following her sensational fall, Chan now owns three school records in spring track events. She set the indoor 5K mark at Vanderbilt in February, and took the record in the same distance once outdoor season began in March. All three records replaced previous marks held by former distance standout Ericka Stam.
 
Chan came close to another school mark last week at UAB winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase in her first time running the event. Her 11:13 winning time was 36 seconds off the school's record pace.
 
Not the only Gamecock to reach the podium at Samford, sophomore Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno finished third in the 1,500 meters. Breanna Becerra and Leandra Custodio also piled on top marks putting a pair of Gamecocks in the top 5 of the 400 meters.
 
Also on track, senior Ashton Coats turned in a new PR in the 200 meters to lead JSU's contingent with a 25.45 time. In the field, freshman Lennon Ibsen came home sixth in the pole vault clearing 3.43 meters.