Postrace Interview With Noah Schutte  |  Postrace Interview With Jeff Thies

EUGENE, Ore. --- Junior Jeff Thies and sophomore Noah Schutte each raced top times in their respective events on the first day of competition at the NCAA Track and Field Championships this evening, advancing to their finals on Friday in Eugene, Ore. Thies finished sixth in his heat to record the sixth fastest time overall, qualifying in the 1500m final, while Schutte raced an automatic qualifying time by finishing fourth in his heat.
 
"Really one of the great days in Pilot track history," said head coach Rob Conner. "To get the big PRs on the biggest stage says a lot about how bad these guys want it. We are super pumped, go pilots!"
 
Thies, who currently holds the all-time record in the 1500m, beats his own time to record a new personal best of 3:40.73. Schutte also ran a personal record of 8:42.85 to move up to fourth all-time at UP in the 3000m steeplechase.
 
Both events were comprised of two heats, the top five from each heat including the next two fastest times would advance to the finals in their respective events on Friday. The Pilots will continue competition tomorrow at nationals with junior Taryn Rawlings in the 1500m semifinal at 4.46 p.m. (PT) and senior Grace McConnochie in the 10,000m final at 7:08 p.m. (PT). ESPN will continue to provide live coverage of the championships.

NCAA Championships Schedule
Thursday, June 8
4:46 P.M – Taryn Rawlings 1500m
7:08 P.M. – Grace McConnochie 10,000m (FINAL)
 
How to Watch:
4:30 P.M (PT) – TV: ESPN2, Online: WatchESPN
 
Friday, June 9
5:42 P.M. – Jeff Thies 1500m (Final)
5:54 P.M. - Noah Schutte 3000m Steeplechase (Final)
 
How to Watch:
5:30 P.M. (PT) – TV: ESPN, Online: WatchESPN
 
Saturday, June 10
3:41 P.M. – TBD Taryn Rawlings 1500m (Final)
 
How to Watch:
3:30 P.M. (PT) – TV: ESPN, Online WatchESPN
 
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NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
June 7, 2017
Day 1
Results
Q = qualified for Friday's Finals
 
Men's 1500m
1. Craig Engels – Ole Miss (3:40.07) Q
2. Joshua Thompson – Oklahoma State (3:40.12) Q
3. Blake Haney – Oregon – 4:40.40 Q
4. Neil Gourley – Virginia Tech (3:40.52) Q
5. Ben Saarel  - Colorado (3:40.71) Q
6. Jeff Thies – Portland (3:40.73) q
7. Andrew Dusing – Miami (3:40.73) q
8. Kyle Burdick – South Dakota St. (3:43.78)
9. Alex Riba – Texas A&M (3:44.14)
10. Josh Kerr – New Mexico (3:44.60) Q
11. Justine Kiprotich – Michagan State (3:44.74) Q
12. Craig Nowak – Oklahoma State (3:44.79) Q
13. David Timlin – Indiana State (3:44.83) Q