TORRENCE & AZUZA. Calif. --- Redshirt junior Jeff Thies led the Portland Pilots men's and women's track and field teams through the final day of the Mt. Sac Relays and Bryan Clay Invite with a record breaking time in the 1500m of 3:41.11 to win his heat. Thies now holds the all-time UP record in the 1500m.
 
"One of the greatest weekends in Pilot history for sure," said men's head coach Rob Conner. "The men and women really took advantage of the weather and competition to get the job done. Jeff ran a magnificent 1500. The rabbit came through in :54 but Jeff was smart and held back as much as possible coming through in 58.6. He was patient for two more laps in 61.3  and 60.0 then dropped a 41.3 to pass the entire field in the last 300. Spectacular! (School record was 3:41.11 which was for five minutes the national leader until the fastest gear was completed.)" 

As a whole the Pilots also produced several strong performances to close out the day. Senior Madison Leek continued to show her range at Mt. Sac Relays with pr's in both the 200m (25.00) and the 400m (55.86), to sit second all-time at UP in both events. Junior Taryn Rawlings jumped to second all-time in the women's 1500m with a pr and time of 4:17.23.
 
"Madison and Taryn both ran perfect races, just missing school records," said women's head coach Ian Solof. "Anne also took a nice step and improved a lot over her last race."
 
Sophomore Trent Mazelli also competed in the men's 1500m this evening to set a new personal best of 3:48.23. "Trent ran a great, :05 pr! Unfortunately someone stepped on his shoe knocking it off just 200m into the race," continued Conner. "He ran the last 3 laps with only one shoe on. He was patient, confident and even was in position to win the race but his toes were rubbed raw and couldn't sprint the last 100. He ran the equivalent of a 4:05 mile with one shoe! Pretty impressive. His time is probably just :02 from a regional qualifier so he will need to get healed up quick and get back at it."

"Caleb Webb was very impressive in his debut 5000. He has only been doing workouts for about a month so I am confident he can make progress with his fitness which can result in something a bit faster which would probably qualify him for regional. He was 9:04 through the 3200 tonight then had two soft laps before closing hard to get a heck of a time! Only two Pilot freshmen have ever debuted faster than him. A great start!"
 
The Pilots will next be in action at the OSU High Performance meet on April 28 in Corvallis, Ore.
 
April 14, 2017
Bryan Clay Invite
Results
 
Women's Javelin
3. Kaylie Van Loo (48.85m)
 
Women's 400m
15. Madison Leek (55.86)

Women's 200m
31. Madison Leek (25.00) 
 
Men's 1500m
9. Jeff Thies (3:41.11) 
68. Trent Mazelli (3:48.23)
 
Women's 1500m
11. Taryn Rawlings (4:17.23)
23. Anne Luijten (4:23.15)
43. Parkes Kendrick (4:25.57)
53. Anna Farello (4:27.66)

April 14, 2017
Mt. Sac Relays
Results
 
Men's 5000m
5. Caleb Webb (14:08.54)