PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Colorado's Brent Vaughn set a CU record and notched the fastest time by a collegian this year in the 5,000 meters when he finished in 13 minutes, 18.46 seconds Sunday night in the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational.

Vaughn trailed only world 5K champion Bernard Lagat, who finished in 13:16.29.

Vaughn's time bettered the old CU mark of 13:34.56, set by Jorge Torres in 2003. Torres also ran in Sunday night's race, finishing seventh in 13:30.09.

Vaughn's time should put him in good position for the U.S. Olympic Trials in June, as it easily eclipsed his previous personal best of 13:30.12.

Vaughn's time also qualified him for the NCAA regional meet at the end of May.

Vaughn started the race at the front of the pack, and with seven laps remaining, was the top collegian. He then made his move with two laps remaining, and with about 100 meters remaining, moved past Boaz Cheboiywo into second place.

Also Sunday, CU senior Billy Nelson placed eighth in the top section of the 3,000-meter steeplechase and CU senior Pete Janson placed second in the second section of the steeplechase.

CU runners did not fare so well in the 1,500. Senior Stephen Pifer has a disappointing race, finishing 12th overall in 3:43.90. Junior Kenyon Neuman placed second in the third section of the 1,500-meter run in 3:45.23.

Junior Sara Vaughn finished ninth in the second section on the women's side. She earned a season best time of 4:29.92 which was 2.12 seconds off the regional qualifying time.

Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational

At Stanford University

Palo Alto, Calif.

CU athletes only

Women's 1500 (Section 4) -- 4. Allison Eckert, 4:34.57; Women's 1500 (Section 2) -- 10. Sara Vaughn, 4:29.92; Men's 1500 (Section 4) -- 4. Rob Thayer, 3:49.82; Men's 1500 (Section 3) -- 2. Kenyon Neuman, 3:45.23; Men's 1500 (Section 1B) -- 12. Stephen Pifer, 3:43.90; Men's 3000 steeplechase (Section 2) -- 2. Pete Janson, 8:43.28 rq; 16. Christian Thompson, 9:06.68; Men's 3000 steeplechase (Section 1) -- 8. Billy Nelson, 8:36.44; Men's 5000m (Section 1) -- 2. Brent Vaughn, 13:18.46