Yale Athletics

Last week, the Bulldogs broke another two school records at the Raleigh Relays hosted by North Carolina State, adding to the previous two records set during opening weekend. Their immediate success following their demanding indoor season shows a particular commitment to their ambitious goals.  

According to the Bulldogs, the Raleigh Relays are known for their intense race atmosphere and tough competition. 

“It was exciting to be in a heat with the top competition in the country at Raleigh Relays,” Owen Karas ’26, a men’s distance runner, wrote to the News. 

After just missing the 5K record time in 2024, Leo Brewer ’25 returned to the relays this year ready to prove himself. 

 “I was agonizingly close to breaking the record [last year], missing it by just over 2 seconds,” wrote Brewer. 

The Relays’ “good competition and great conditions” pushed Brewer to the top this year.  “Once I knew it was still in my grasp with a kilometer to go, I closed as hard as I could and found the gears I needed, beating the previous record by 2 seconds,” Brewer noted.

The previous 5K school record was set by Robert Miranda ’22 in 2022. For current Bulldogs, however, Miranda left behind more than just a record. Brewer attributes much of his growth as an athlete to this former Eli. “He paved the way for me as a freshman and showed me what was possible,” wrote Brewer. 

Karas also broke his fourth school record of the 2024-25 year, setting the 1500-meter mark, and as with the indoor season, he’s focused on the Ivy League and NCAA championships at the end of spring. 

“A few of us hit times that could send us to NCAA Regionals,” wrote Karas, anticipating the team’s next goals.  

Brewer agreed with Karas, citing the team’s new leadership as a contributing factor in the Elis’ success. 

“Coach Basista has really got the group going in a great direction, and I’m excited to see where this takes us for the rest of the year and beyond,” wrote Brewer.

While a small group made their mark in Raleigh, the rest of the team took on the Black and Gold Invitational hosted by Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. 

Yale placed 12th of 16 teams, strategically giving up overall team points in order to provide the more inexperienced first and second-year athletes with valuable race experience. 

“The team is in a good place heading into the rest of the season. We have some standout freshmen who are really pulling their weight,” wrote Brewer, anticipating the strong results that are sure to follow these first few races of the season. 

With two weekends of racing behind them, the Bulldogs build their momentum and confidence. Victoria Guerrier ’26, who set the 800-meter school record at the UCF Invite during opening weekend, shared her goals to excel in the championships, mirroring the rest of the team. 

“I’m so excited to embrace that high bar and go for it,” Guerrier wrote to the News. 

The Bulldogs will split again this Saturday, heading to Princeton, New Jersey, for the Sam Howell Invitational and UConn for the Dog Fight Invite.