PALO ALTO, Calif. --- The University of Portland men’s track team had its best day of the 2007 season at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational on Sunday, with junior John Moore (pictured) breaking his own school record in the 10,000 and automatically qualifying for the NCAA National Meet in the 10,000 with a time of 28:35. Junior Michael Kilburg also ran a personal best that will likely qualify him for the NCAA National Meet, clocking it at 28:57.

Complete meet results can be seen by following the above link.

Senior Matt Sheeks also had a strong race in the 10,000 meters, making the national list with a time of 29:14.26. In the 3000 meter steeplechase, senior Steven Ault regionally qualified with a time of 9:00.20, the fastest mark of the season in that event for the Pilots.

Moore ran a personal best by eight seconds and stayed comfortably in the pack through 5000 in 14:24 before dropping the second 5000 to 14:11.

“Moore ran a courageous race leading the last six laps and finishing with a 60-second last lap,” head men’s track and field coach Rob Conner said. “He has been held back by allergies this spring but was not going to be denied a trip to the NCAA Championships after making it the last two years.”

Kilburg’s time of 28:57.62 topped his personal best by 22 seconds and placed him in third place on UP’s all-time list. Conner expects that he will easily qualify for the NCAA tournament with the performance.

“Kilburg ran a gutsy race hanging on to the lead pack for as long as possible then had to run the last two miles by himself,” Conner said. “That was an exercise in mental as well as physical toughness.”

Including Sheek’s 29:14.26, three of the top seven times in school history were set at the race.

“Overall I would definitely say this was the single greatest race in Pilot history,” Conner said. “Having three guys going to the NCAA meet this year will be a fun experience.”

Senior Chuck McKenzie also ran on Sunday, clocking in at 3:48.03 in the 1500 meters.

Next up on the schedule for the Pilots is the Oregon Twilight meet, held in Eugene on Saturday, May 5.

UP All-Time Top Ten: 10,000 Meters

John Moore           28:35.95         2007

Joe Driscoll           28:48.42         2002

Michael Kilburg    28:57.62          2007

David Kinsella      28:57.97          2007

Ryan Craig            29:04.98          2003

Chris Hamilton     29:13               1982

Matt Sheeks          29:14.26          2007

Pete Julian            29:14.39          1994

Uli Steidl                29:16.44          1994

Micah Rolfe           29:19.32          2006