WALNUT, Calif. --- Steeplechaser Justin Houck raced to a No. 16 national ranking as two Portland Pilots men’s track runners earned regional qualifying times at the well-known Mt. SAC Relays last weekend.
Houck, a senior from Spokane, Wash., posted a personal record performance of 8:54.28 in the 3000-meter steeplechase, moving him up to eighth on UP’s all-time list.
“I know now that Justin can run at least 8:45 this season,” said head coach Rob Conner. “He will be in the mix to get to the national meet which would be a great way to finish out his college career.”
Freshman Alfred Kipchumba ran the 1500-meter event for the first time in his young career posting a finish of 3:47.18. The result was the eighth-best in UP program history.
“That was a fun run for Alfred,” said Conner. “He finished the last 400m in 58-seconds so there is a lot more room to improve. He will run a couple more 1500s this season so it will be exciting to see how much faster he can go. It will enhance his 5000, which is the goal at this point.”
With over 12,000 competitors from youth to the world class athlete, the Mt. SAC Relays is the world's largest track and field competition. The Mt. SAC Relays has hosted superstars of track and field for over 51 years. 13 World Records have been set at historic Hilmer Lodge Stadium "where the world's best athletes compete." Full meet results are available online at http://www.mtsacrelays.com/
Portland next competes at the Oregon Relays in Eugene, Ore. on April 24-25.
