BOSTON, Mass. -- The Pilot men opened their 2023-24 track season running the 5,000 meter distance at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, highlighted by Matt Strangio's 13:31.92 effort to break his own school record of 13:39.59. Three other Pilots also PRed, including Estanis Ruiz's No. 10 All-Time 13:53.71.

In Heat 2 of the men's 5,000 meter race, Strangio would go on to place fifth in a time of 13:31.92, chipping off nearly 8 seconds from his previous school record. His time was only 1.76 seconds slower than his outdoor PR and a bit over four seconds away from Woody Kincaid's outdoor school record of 13:27.32. 

Jonas Gertsen ran 14:26.38 to open his indoor track season for the Pilots. Gertsen was followed by Danny Abdala in Heat 7 who would run an indoor personal best of 14:10.88. Heat 8 saw Estanis Ruiz run 13:53.71 (No. 10 All-Time) to win the heat, pulling away with a strong final 800 meters of 2:05.09. Ahmed Sado would also compete in heat 8, where he finished in a new personal best of 14:16.61. Jona Bodirsky would finish up the night for the Pilots with a time of 14:20.79, the second fastest indoor 5K of his career. 

The Pilots will return on Jan. 13, 2024 at the UW Indoor Preview. For more coverage and info, visit PortlandPilots.com. 

Results - Men's 5,000 Meter

Matt Strangio, 13:31.92 - PR (School Record)

Estanis Ruiz, 13:53.71 - PR (No. 10 All-Time)

Danny Abdala, 14:10.88 - PR

Ahmed Sado, 14:16.61 - PR

Jona Bodirsky, 14:20.79
Jonas Gertsen, 14:26.38