Amie Dahnke, a regional qualifier in the 5,000, won the 10,000-meter run

DAVIS, Calif. --- Four University of Portland distance runners claimed event titles to highlight a successful run at the Division I Independent Track and Field Championships at Woody Wilson Track last weekend. Sophomores Justin Houck and David Kinsella won the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs, respectively, while sophomore Amie Dahnke also claimed the 10,000 title on the women’s side. Senior Chuck McKenzie continued his solid spring by winning the 1,500-meter run.

Houck clocked a 15:14.84 to win the 5,000 by over three seconds. He also fared well in the 3,000-meter steeplechase by finishing third overall (9:18.36) and one spot behind teammate Steven Ault (9:16.33).

McKenzie, already an NCAA Regional Qualifier in the 1,500, ran a 3:51.07.

The Pilots dominated the 10,000-meter run with eight men finishing in the top 13, highlighted by Kinsella posting a 30:10.11 to win the event. Colin Longmuir finished in third place both in the 5,000 (15:18.76) and 10,000 for the Pilots (31:05.80). 

On the women’s side, Dahnke took top billing in the 10,000 (36:17.66) and sophomore teammate Allison Ritchie finished third (36:40.29).

Freshman Natalie Hemphill had a solid meet as well, finishing fourth in both the steeplechase (11:09.32) and the 5,000 (17:55.68). Fellow freshman Dana Morgan took fifth place in the 1,500 (4:37.46), while freshman Cori Moore placed fifth in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:17.85.