Eight representatives from the University of Portland will compete at next week's NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary Championships hosted in Sacramento, Calif. The meet will take place at Hornet Stadium at California State University Sacramento on May 24-27th, 2023.

 

The top 48 qualifying times for each event from the West and East earned spots in the respective fields. Top competitors from the West and East Preliminary meets will advance to the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships scheduled for June 7-10 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. 

 

Laura Pellicoro will represent the Pilot women in the Women's 1,500 meter event, where she is ranked sixth in the west region after scratches. Pellicoro competed in the women's 800 meter event during the 2022 season where she advanced to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., finishing 20th overall. She also qualified for the NCAA Indoor Champonships in the mile during the 2022 and 2023 indoor track seasons where she finished 11th and 13th, respectively. 

 

Cathal Doyle is the sole Pilot in the men's 1,500 meter event where he is coming in ranked thirteenth in the finalized field. Doyle qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships during the 2021 and 2022 seasons where he finished 13th and 19th, respectively.  

 

Matt Strangio, Jonas Gertsen, Zak Kirk and will represent Portland in the Men's 5,000 meter event, the event with the most Pilot representation. The trio is ranked ninth, 31st and 35th, respectively after scratches. All three of the Pilots have attained all-regional honors in cross country, and look for their opportunity to progress to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the first time. 

 

Estanis Ruiz and Ahmed Sado will be the Pilot representatives in the Men's 3,000 meter steeplechase. Ruiz qualified for the NCAA Championships last season in the same event where he finished ninth overall. Sado finished sixth in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track Championships during the 2021 outdoor track season. 

"We are in a good spot, everyone is optimistic and ready to put forth a great effort," said head coach Rob Conner.

The schedule for the meet will be posted below. For more coverage and info, visit PortlandPilots.com.

 

2023 NCAA West Preliminary

Sacramento, Calif. (Hornet Stadium)

May 24-27th

 

Wednesday, May 24

Men's 1,500m (1st Round) 6:30 P.M. (PT)

Cathal Doyle

 

Men's 10,000m (Semifinals) - 9:10 P.M. (PT)

Danny Abdala

Zak Kirk

 

Thursday, May 25

Women's 1,500m (1st Round) - 6:30 P.M. (PT) 

Laura Pellicoro

 

Friday, May 26

Men's 1,500m (Quarterfinals) - 5:15 P.M. (PT)

 

Men's 3,000m Steeplechase (Semifinals) - 5:40 P.M. (PT)

Estanis Ruiz

Ahmed Sado

 

Men's 5,000m (Semifinals) - 8:10 P.M. (PT) 

Jonas Gertsen

Zak Kirk

Matt Strangio

 

Saturday, May 27th

Women's 1500m (Quarterfinals) - 5:15 P.M. (PT)