The University of Portland’s Julie Elliott, the sole Pilot athlete competing in the Cal Multi-Event, finished in fourth place in the heptathlon on Thursday with 4973 total points. As expected, the indoor All-American did most of her damage in the high jump, clearing 5-9¼ to earn 928 points.

Elliott was third after the first day of competition, but fell to fourth after Nebraska’s Sara Jane Baker caught up to her in the javelin throw and the 800-meter run. The event was won by another Cornhusker, as Ashley Selig recorded a score of 5474 to earn top honors. Portland State’s Mackenzie Winkle finished in second place.

Elliott needed just 27 more points to earn provisional qualification in the heptathlon for the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, as the benchmark sits at 5000 points.

Portland’s track & field teams will compete on Friday and Saturday at the Stanford Invitational in Stanford, Calif.