TORRENCE & AZUZA, Calif. --- Sophomore Reuben Kiprono led the Portland Pilots in the first day of competition at the Mt. Sac Relays with an impressive race in the 10k Open, posting a huge personal record of 29:36.62 to top the entire field.
 
Senior Alex Dillard also ran a strong race in the 10k elite invitational earning a 16^th place finish (29:19.42), trailed closely by fellow senior Danny Martinez who recorded a personal best time of 29:20.88.
 
Sophomore Noah Schutte opened up the afternoon in the men's 3000m steeplechase with a sixth place finish and a personal record of 8:55.50.  

"It was a fantastic night for all the Pilots! Noah got us started with his steeple pr, which should qualify him for regionals," said men's head coach Rob Conner. "Reuben was up next and he won his heat in the 10,000. That was a :15 pr from last year. Interestingly, he ran a pr enroute coming through the 5k about :05 faster than his best 5k! He ran smart and tough, then really finished strong to win it. Next up were Dillard and Danny. They ran smart and tough too, dropping negative splits and really gobbling up a lot of guys over the second 5k. Danny's effort was a :07 pr while Dillard was only a few seconds from his pr. It was less than perfect conditions, really windy and they ran alone a good part of the last 2.5 miles Super strong finish by both guys. We feel pretty sure we have gotten those four guys into regionals.

The last race of the night featured Gabriel and Tristan. They both worked together and ran tough and even but they got gapped and ended up running a lot of the race alone too. It was a tall order in the wind, but they bot hung in there and did great. Gabriel missed a pr by about :05. It was Tristan's 10k debut and he broke 30:00 which is our first goal with any young runner. Not many freshmen break 30 in their first 10k, so he is ahead. It was a tremendous learning opportunity. Gabe and Tristan will probably end up outside of the top 48, so we will consider having them run another 10k to try for another regional qualifier later in the season. A great night for sure!"

Only three women competed for the Pilots Thursday evening with senior Grace McConnochie finishing sixth in the women's elite 10k (33:58.48) and redshirt junior Mathilde Sagnes crossing the line 28th (34:42.90). Sophomore Courtney Cox was the lone Pilot to compete in the Bryan Clay Invite finishing 19^th in the women's 5000m in 17:23.84.

"Grace and Mathilde both ran excellent races and qualified for the NCAA first round, while also earning top ten UP all-time marks," said women's head coach Ian Solof. "Incredibly, Grace was able to run the second 5k of her race in 16:41. We are excited for more big races tomorrow."
 
The Pilots will compete again tomorrow starting at 9:00 a.m. with Kaylie Van Loo in the Javelin at the Bryan Clay Invite and at 10:30 p.m. featuring Caleb Webb in the men's 5000m at the Mt. Sac Relays.
 
April 13 2017
Mt. Sac Relays
Results
 
Men's 3000m Steeplechase
6. Noah Schutte (8:55.50)
34. Joe Horen (9:18.36)
 
Men's 10k C/O - A
1.Reuben Kiprono (29:36.62)
 
Women's 10K Elite INV
6. Grace McConnochie (33:58.48)
28. Mathilde Sagnes (34:42.90)

Men's 10k Elite INV
Section 1
16. Alex Dillard (29:19.42)
17. Danny Martinez (29:20.88)
33. Gabriel Haughey (29:51.30)
40. Tristan Peloquin (29:55.38)
 
April 13 2017
Bryan Clay Invite
Results
 
Women's 5k
19. Courtney Cox (17:23.84)