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 23^rd-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). He is also the first Bronco to run the event in under nine minutes.

Berriatua took 9^th place in his section and Santa Clara teammate Zach Litoff posted a 9:06.27 — his second-best time of 2018 — to take 11^th.

"There's no runner in our program more deserving than Joey to accomplish and earn something like this," associate head coach Pete Cushman said. "He has worked hard and been the best teammate for five years. He has had his sights set on this since he came on his official visit as a high school recruit.

"We are very proud of what he has accomplished and excited to see him make a run at the finals."

BRONCO TEAMMATES OUT IN FULL FORCE

What a day! @joeyberriatua punches his tickets to NCAA First Round for 3,000-meter steeplechase in a school record 8:52.04 (ranks 23rd in the nation!). Congrats to @zachlitoff for his second fastest race in his young career. Go Broncos!! #scubroncos #stampedetogether #ncaatrackandfield #wccsports

A post shared by SCU XC/Track & Field (@scuxctf) on May 3, 2018 at 8:53pm PDT

"I was impressed with his teammates, family and our administration," head coach Felipe Montoro said. "They came out in full force and we had a huge cheering section for Joey and Zach. I was really proud to be a Bronco today."

NEXT UP

Santa Clara sends a larger contingent to the Sacramento State Open on Saturday.

BRONCO ENTRIES/SCHEDULE

Women's 5,000-Meter Run @ 10:30 a.m.

Allison Martinez, Marisa Sanchez, Kalen Abe, Noelani Obermeyer

Men's 5,000-Meter Run @ 10:53 a.m.

Austin Blankenship, John O'Hagan, Andrew Melendez

Men's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase @ 11:30 a.m.

Ben Davidson, Christian Raslowsky

Women's 1,500-Meter Run @ 11:45 a.m. (Three Heats)

Hannah Wood, Bevin McCullough, Ellie Kopf, Janie Nabholz, Marisa Rudolph, Emma McCurry, Sarah King, Julia Green, Jamie Ferris, Shannon Luu

Men's 1,500-Meter Run @ 12:05 p.m. (Five Heats)

Zach Litoff, Brennan Lagerstrom, Xander Olivero, Wilder Boyden, Evan Misuraca, Connor Lehl, James Konugres, Will Burschinger, Aaron Brumbaugh, Aditya Mohan, Brendan Jones

Women's 800-Meter Run @ 1:37 p.m. (Four Heats) 

Janie Nabholz, Khiely Jackson, Titilola Bolarinwa, Bevin McCullough, Emma Eikelberner

Men's 800-Meter Run @ 1:54 p.m. (Four Heats)

Jean-Baptiste Tooley, Brennan Lagerstrom, Daryon Baynard, Ross Corey, Brynn Sargent, Joey Berriatua, Connor Lehl, Luke Davies, Evan Misuraca 

Women's 400-Meter Hurdles @ 2:12 p.m. (Two Heats)

Greer Chrisman

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