AUSTIN, Tx. --- The Portland Pilots men's and women's track and field teams concluded the first day of the NCAA West Preliminary at the Mike A. Myers Stadium with juniors Taryn Rawlings and Jeff Thies qualifying for the 1500m semi-finals on Saturday. Senior Grace McConnochie also punched her ticket to Eugene with a ninth place finish in the women's 10,000m.
 
Thies ran an impressive race to finish first overall to enter Saturday's semi-finals as the top runner in the 1500m.
 
"He looked great and he reported that he felt great," said men's head coach Rob Conner. "What I was most impressed with was his perfect tactical effort and he confidence he showed executing the plan! Tremendous job!"
 
For the women, Rawlings finished third in her heat, and seventh overall.  McConnochie also ran a strong 10,000m, to finish within the top twelve to advance to the finals in Eugene on June 7-10.

"Grace ran a really smart race and did an amazing job qualifying for the national meet," said women's head coach Ian Solof. "She actually fell down after about six laps but got up and regained her composure. Taryn was also excellent today in moving onto Saturday's round of the 1500."
 
The top five from each heat in the 1500m, plus the next four fastest times advance to the semi-finals on Saturday. The top five from Saturday, and the two next best times then advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene. The women's 1500m will start at 7:30 P.M (CT) on Saturday, followed by the men's 1500m semi-finals at 7:45 P.M. (CT).
 
Sophomore Noah Schutte will be the only Pilot to compete tomorrow on the second day of the West Preliminary in the men's 3000m steeplechase at 9:00 P.M (CT).

West Preliminary
Day 1
May, 25, 2017
Results
 
Javelin
17. Kaylie Van Loo 46.44m
 
Women's 1500m
7. Taryn Rawlings (4:24.45)
44. Parkes Kendrick (4:41.93)
45. Anne Luijten (4:42.90)
 
Men's 1500m
1.Jeff Thies (3:49.10)
 
Women's 10,000m
9. Grace McConnochie (34:46.57)
37. Anna Farello (37:07.96)
 
Men's 10,000m
16. Alex Dillard (30:19.65)
17. Reuben Kiprono (30:21.89)
22. Danny Martinez (30:36.08)
25. Brady Johnson (30:45.77)
29.  Tim Ball (30:59.90)