FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Portland junior Estanis Ruiz posted the fifth fastest 3,000-meter Steeplechase time in school history Friday at the NCAA Division I Track and Field West First Round at John McDonnell Field. His time of 8:38.38 was second best at the meet and earned him a spot at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. June 5-8.

Ruiz becomes the 64th Pilot to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships since 1992 as Portland has been represented at 31 of the last 32 national meets. He is the 13th runner on The Bluff to qualify in the Steeplechase and first since Riley Osen in 2018.

Ruiz was among the top five from start-to-finish in the race and created separation on the final lap to earn one of the three auto qualifying spots in his heat.

Thomas Chaston also competed in the Steeplechase and posted a time of 9:08.31, 11th best in his heat.

Bradley Peloquin also ran in the 5,000-meter run on Friday night and recorded a time of 14:16.33 to place 21st overall.

Complete meet results from the NCAA West First Round are available here.

2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships West First Round
Fayetteville, Ark. (John McDonnell Field)
May 22-25, 2024

Wednesday, May 22
Men's 10,000m Semifinals
33. Jona Bodirsky, 30:14.79

Thursday, May 23
Women's 10,000m Semifinals
Courtney Klatt, DNF

Friday, May 24
Men's 3,000m Steeplechase Quarterfinals
2. Estanis Ruiz, 8:38.38 (PR)
29. Thomas Chaston, 9:08.31

Men's 5,000m Semifinals
21. Bradley Peloquin, 14:16.33
Matt Strangio, DNS 
 
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