Erik Olson of Stanford (Novato)  runs a PR of 13:46.12 to place 7th in the Men 5000 Meter Run Section 2 at the Payton Jordan Invitational at Stanford University on Sun. Apr. 28. This time will put Erik in the top 20 on the  2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Qualifying List for the 5000m. See below for update from Stanford’s website.

“One race later, it was Erik Olson’s turn. The junior from Marin County also earned a PR, with a 13:46.12 while placing seventh in the second section with a U.S. `B’ standard time. It was an eight-second improvement from his best at a February indoor meet, and an indication that Olson has made his way back from a series of injuries that hampered his cross country campaign last fall.

“The plan was to compete,” Olson said. “I like that. Compete, rather than place.

“Coach Milt’s been saying, `You’ll get your kick when it matters,’ meaning in regionals and nationals. He’s progressed me through injuries in cross country by keeping the pressure off and the miles low, and not taking time off. And now it’s starting to pay off.

“My confidence has grown and my trust in him has grown too.””