MONMOUTH, Ore. --- Despite poor weather conditions, the Portland Pilots men's and women's track and field teams ran strong to close out the John Knight Twilight at the McArthur Field at Western Oregon University on Friday night.
 
Redshirt freshman Sam Lomax and Michael Murphy, and senior Conor Johnston each placed third in their heats in the 1500m and 5000m on the men's side, respectively. Redshirt freshmen Ryan Clarke (4:20.14) and Andrew Jenck (4:20.72) each set new personal records in the 1500m, along with senior Rory Johnston (4:22.06) and Lomax (3:59.36). Murphy also set a new PR in the 5000m (15:20.43) and sophomore Sean Tan in the steeplechase (10:01.44).
 
"The team did a tremendous job of competing under some tough weather circumstances," said head coach Rob Conner. "Many of the guys hit PR's or were close. Sam Lomax pr'd in the 1500 and competed to his fullest. He really did a nice job, one of his best efforts ever for us. I was very happy with Michael Murphy in the 5000m. It was his first-ever 5000m and he ran a nice negative split effort and battled with the leaders over the last mile."
 
Eight Pilots won their heats for the women including redshirt senior Kaylie Van Loo (44.83m) in the javelin, redshirt junior Parkes Kendrick (10:39.57) in the 3000m steeplechase, seniors Corissa Turley (5.21m) and Madison Leek (26.22) in the long jump and 200m, and freshmen Natalie Smith (2:22.41) and Maya Murphy-Cook (15.82) in the 800m and 100m hurdles.
 
"Even with the terrible weather conditions everyone competed well," said women's head coach. "We had nice wins in the 100 and 200, 800, steeple, and a sweep in the long jump."
 
The Pilots will next be in action on April 13 and 14 in Torrence Calif., at the Mt. Sac Relays.
 
John Knight Twilight
April 7, 2017
Results
 
Men's 800m
Section 2
6. Jack Welch (2:03.19)
 
Men's 1500m
Heat 1
3. Sam Lomax (3:59.36)
5. Carter Aebi (3:59.71)
6. Malcolm Roux (4:01.07)
8. Nick Hauger (4:02.10)
 
Heat 2
3. Conor Johnston (4:09.08)
9. Matt Schumann (4:14.88)
13. Rory Johnston (4:22.06)
 
Heat 3
6. Ryan Clarke (4:20.14)
7. Andrew Jenck (4:20.72)
 
Men's 5000m
3. Michael Murphy (15:20.43)
4. Cole Shugart (15:26.34)
 
Men's 3000m Steeplechase
4. Sean Tan (10:01.44)
 
Women's 100m
Heat 1
1.Grace Bley (13.15)
2. Madison Leek (13.18)
7. Maya Murphy-Cook (13.60)
 
Heat 2
4. Pauline Reiley (14.00)
 
Heat 3
3. Skye Chen-Johnson (13.96)
 
Women's 200m
Heat 1
1.Madison Leek (26.22)
3. Grace Bley (26.81)
4. Maria Montt (26.90)
 
Heat 2
2. Skye Chen-Johnson (28.36)
 
Women's 400m
Heat 2
3. Mariela Martinez (1:04.49)
 
Women's 800m
Heat 1
1.Natalie Smith (2:22.41)
 
Heat 2
1.Maddy Lyons (2:20.79)
 
Women's 1500m
Heat 1
5. Emily Peterson (4:51.85)
7. Lindsay Tompkins (4:57.97)
8. Sophia Noto (4:58.21)
 
Heat 2
6. Maddie Woodson (5:04.79)
8. Allegra Vanderwilde (5:13.83)
 
Women's 100m Hurdles
Heat 2
1.Maya Murphy Cook (15.82)
 
Women's 400m Hurdles
Heat 1
7. Michal Jones (1:08.28)
 
Heat 2
3. Natalie Root (1:08.81)
 
Women's 3000m Steeplechase
1.Parkes Kendrick (10:39.57)
2. Dylan Hite (11:17.42)
 
Women's Long Jump
1.Corissa Turley (5.21m)
2. Maya Murphy-Cook (5.16m)
3. Pauline Reiley (5.15m)
 
Women's Javelin
1.Kaylie Van Loo (44.83m)
2. Pauline Reiley (36.29m)