RENO, Nev. – The University of Portland Pilots kicked off competition at the MPSF Indoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, achieving a significant victory in the men’s distance medley relay and witnessing a flurry of personal bests across multiple events. The Pilots claim DMR title, setting the tone for a promising championship run.
The men’s 4x800m relay team of Trey Gannon, Yutaka Roberts, Sam Regez, and Nathan Stein secured first place with a winning time of 9:56.23. This performance marked a high point in a day filled with strong showings from the Portland team. The victory underscores the strength and depth of the Pilots’ middle-distance runners.
Cain Advances to 60m Final, Harvey Sets Program Mark
On the women’s side, Aria Cain demonstrated impressive speed, qualifying for the final of the 60-meter dash. Cain finished fifth in the preliminaries with a time of 7.51 seconds, securing her spot in Sunday’s final. Also making her mark was Malia Harvey in the women’s 200 meters, posting a personal-best time of 24.78. This time ranks second in University of Portland program history, highlighting a breakthrough performance for the sprinter.
Strong Distance Performances Highlight Day One
The men’s 5,000-meter race saw a remarkable display of endurance and personal achievement for the Pilots. Giuliano Scasso led the team with a sixth-place finish and a new personal record of 14:49.76. Close behind, Collin Penuel secured seventh place, also achieving a personal best with a time of 14:49.77. Anthony Giesch finished eighth in 15:03.87, even as Bodie Alderson (10th, 15:04.88) and Jacob Hupke (11th, 15:15.22) also recorded personal bests, demonstrating the team’s overall improvement in distance running.
Women’s DMR and Looking Ahead to Sunday
Portland’s women’s distance medley relay team, comprised of Lindsey Kaines, Giana Atkinson, Rose Perotin, and Megan Crum, finished sixth overall with a time of 11:51.24. While not a winning performance, it contributed valuable points to the team’s overall score. Lola Richardson also achieved a personal best in the women’s 200 meters, clocking in at 26.34.
The Pilots will return to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on Sunday for the final day of the MPSF Championships. Aria Cain will compete in the women’s 60-meter final, while a strong contingent of Pilots will participate in the women’s and men’s mile, the women’s 400 meters, and the 800 meters on both the men’s and women’s sides. The full schedule for Sunday’s events includes:
- 9:30 a.m. Women 60m Final: Aria Cain
- 9:45 a.m Women 1 Mile: Izzy Lochtefeld
- 10:05 a.m. Men 1 Mile: Trey Gannon, Elliot Hawley, Eliason Kabasenche, Jonas Price, Aaron Rovnak, Estanis Ruiz, Nathan Stein
- 10:20 a.m Women 400m: Malia Harvey, Alexis Leao
- 11:15 a.m Women 800m: Giana Atkinson, Madi Callo, Lindsey Kaines, Rose Perotin
- 11:30 a.m Men 800m: Aliason Kabasenche, Mark Milner, Gabriel Morrow, Sam Regez, Yutaka Roberts, Estanis Ruiz
Fans can follow the Pilots’ progress throughout the championships by visiting PortlandPilots.com for live results and updates. The team’s performance this weekend demonstrates a commitment to excellence and sets a positive trajectory for the remainder of the season. The Pilots will look to build on Saturday’s successes as they compete for the championship title on Sunday.
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