Two additional University of Portland Track & Field athletes will be competing on the world stage this summer, representing Guam. Recent graduate Josh Ilustre will compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio in August, while freshman Christina Francisco will be competing in the IAAF World U20 Championships later this month.

"We are very excited for Josh and Christina to have these opportunities to represent Guam and the University of Portland," said Portland coach Chad Cowell. "It's an amazing honor and experience that they will never forget."

Ilustre, when interviewed by the Pacific Daily News, said he was shocked to find out that he had been chosen to represent Guam in Rio. Ilustre won silver at the 2012 Oceania Championships in the 1600 meter relay in the U20 division, and he recently won a gold medal at the Micronesian Championships in the 1500 meter. He is the second University of Portland alum to compete in the Olympics for Guam, following Derek Mandell ('09) who competed in the 2008 Olympics in the 800 meter.  

Francisco will compete in the 400 meter hurdles at the IAAF Junior World Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. In her last competition at the IAAF World Indoor Track Championships in March, she set a Guam national record of 1:00.08 in the 400 meter.
Ilustre is currently training in Guam and will fly to Rio at the end of July. He will compete in the 800 meter on the first day of the track and field competition on August 12. Francisco has been training in Portland and will fly to Poland on July 16 to compete on July 20.