Baidy Ba Resets Men’s 5K Record Friday at Virginia Challenge
4/18/2026 9:45:00 AM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Fifth-year Baidy Ba posted a personal-best time of 13:47.76 in the men's 5,000-meter run at the Virginia Challenge on Friday evening, breaking his own school record set just three weeks ago.
Ba finished 10th in the race, and his time will put him in good position to qualify for the NCAA East Regional meet.
A trio of Golden Flashes placed second in their events. Beau Harkelroad ran a personal-best of 51.81 seconds in the men's 400-meter hurdles, which is the fourth fastest time in program history. Kristen Jay recorded a new javelin PR for the third time in as many meets with a throw of 166'-2" and remains sixth on Kent State's all-time performance list. Grace Adegoke matched her personal-best in the women's high jump by clearing 5'-7.75".
Payton Shippee also posted a top-10 finish with a throw of 200'-4" to place sixth in the men's javelin.
The Flashes will conclude weekend competition at the Virginia Challenge on Saturday.
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