FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Laura Pellicoro ran a school record to finish third in her heat of the 800-meter quarterfinals to automatically qualify for nationals Saturday at the NCAA West Preliminary hosted at John McConnell Field. Pellicoro finished with a time of 2:03.17 and will now prepare for the national meet.

Pellicoro joins Cathal Doyle who will represent the Pilots at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 5-8 hosted at Hayward Field in Eugene. Portland track and field has now had representation at 29 out of the last 30 NCAA Championships (2000 the exception).

Veerle Bakker also competed on Saturday in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase and placed eighth in her heat and 24th overall.

2022 NCAA West Preliminary
Fayetteville, Ark. (John McDonnell Field)
May 25-28

Wednesday, May 25
Men's 1,500m (1st Round – Top 5 from each heat and next four top times advance)
16. Chris Morzenti, 3:44.91 (Heat 3 – 9th)
23. Cathal Doyle, 3:46.05 (Heat 2 – 5th)
45. Matt Strangio, 3:55.61 (Heat 2 – 12th)
47. George Duggan, 4:03.07 (Heat 3 – 11th)

Men's 10,000m (Semifinals – Top 12 advance to Finals)
28. Bradley Peloquin, 29:30.57
DNF Jacob Klemz

Thursday, May 26
Women's 1,500m (1st Round – Top 5 from each heat and next four top times advance)
46. Emma Jenkins, 4:29.13 (Heat 4 – 12th)

Women's 800m (1st Round – Top 3 from each heat and next six top times advance)
7. Laura Pellicoro, 2:05.29 (Heat 4 – 2nd)

Friday, May 27
Men's 1,500m (Quarterfinals – Top 5 from each heat and next two top times advance)
11. Cathal Doyle, 3:42.84 (Heat 2 – 3rd)

Men's 3,000m Steeplechase (Semifinals – Top 3 from each heat and next three top times advance)
13. Riley Osen, 8:42.79 (Heat 2 – 5th)

Saturday, May 28
Women's 800m (Quarterfinals –
9. Laura Pellicoro, 2:03.17 (Heat 3 – 3rd) PR and 1st all-time

Women's 3,000m Steeplechase (Semifinals –
24. Veerle Bakker, 10:29.45 (Heat 3 – 8th)