Full Results

SACRAMENTO, Calif. --- The Portland Pilot's track and field teams concluded the first day of competition at the NCAA West Preliminary on Thursday night, with six Pilots advancing to the next round.
 
Juniors Trent Mazelli and Stuart McCallum started off the evening with qualifying times in the 1500m. Mazelli placed fifth in his heat with a time of 3:45.73 to clinch the final automatic qualifying spot, with McCallum crossing the line just behind him in 3:46.18 to mark one of the five next best times.
 
Junior Taryn Rawlings raced just after the men in the women's 1500m, finishing second in her heat to claim an automatic qualifying spot, with a time of 4:25.30.
 
Mazelli, McCallum, and Rawlings will next compete in the quarterfinals of the 1500m on Saturday.
 
In the last events of the night, senior Matt Welch and sophomore Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse  (29:17.96) finished fourth and 12^th, respectively to punch their tickets to the 10,000m final in Eugene. Welch's time of 29:15.13 marked a new personal best for the Minnesota native.

"It was a fantastic day for the Pilots! Trent and Stuart ran smart and gutsy, so they will move on to Saturday," said men's head coach Rob Conner. "Matty Ice and Manu really ran tough. That was the most competitive regional 10,000 in the history of this meet. Both guys will be very competitive in two weeks."
 
Junior Lauren LaRocco then capped the day, claiming the final qualifying spot for Portland with an 11^th place finish in 32:58.05 in the women's 10,000m. Sophomore Aoibhe Richardson, who was unable to secure a qualifying spot to Eugene, also competed well, posting an impressive personal best with a time of 33:59.21.
 
"All three women did a great job today! Taryn looked amazing in advancing to the next round, Lauren hung in there and earned another trip to nationals, and Aoibhe had a 36 second PR in the 10k," said women's head coach Ian Solof. "I'm really proud of how they competed and look forward to Saturday."
 
Juniors Noah Schutte and Simon Grannetia, as well as redshirt freshman Riley Osen will next be in action for the Pilots on day two of the West Prelims, competing in the 3000m steeplechase at 8:20 p.m.
 
NCAA West Preliminary
Hornet Stadium
Results
 
Men's 1500m
(4 Heats. Advance top 5 from each heat. Plus next 4 times)
5. Trent Mazelli (3:45.73)
7. Stuart McCallum (3:46.18)
 
Women's 1500m
(4 Heats. Advance top 5 from each heat. Plus next 4 times)
23. Taryn Rawlings (4:25.30)
 
Men's 10,000m
(One round. 1 heat. Advance top 12 to Eugene)
4. Matt Welch (29:15.13)
12. Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse (29:17.96)
24. Nick Hauger (29:40.15)
28. Gabriel Haughey (29:58.08)
 
Women's 10,000m
(One round. 1 heat. Advance top 12 to Eugene)
11. Lauren LaRocco (32:58.05)
30. Aoibhe Richardson (33:59.21)