Gilbertson Improves NCAA Provisional Mark in 800-Meter Run at Oregon Twilight

Peterson and Mattox also Improve NCAA Qualifying Results.

Reid Gilbertson Courtesy: willamette.edu

EUGENE, ORE. - Willamette University freshman Reid Gilbertson (Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater HS) improved his NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:52.61 at the Oregon Twilight on Saturday, May 9.

Gilbertson's previous qualifying time was 1:52.83, set earlier this week at the John Knight Twilight at the Charles Bowles Track.

Katie Peterson (So., Independence, OR/Central HS) and Kimber Mattox (Fr., Bend, OR/Bend HS/Cornell Univ.) also improved NCAA provisional qualifying marks. Peterson threw the javelin 138'7" to add four and three-quarter feet to her previous provisional mark of 133'10". It is the second time this week that Peterson has extended her top distance.

Mattox registered a time of 17:12.63 in the 5,000-meter run to cut an impressive 19.68 seconds from her earlier qualifying time of 17:32.31. The freshman standout has achieved qualifying marks in three events. In addition to the 5,000, she has earned qualifying times in the 1,500-meter run (4:38.25, provisional) and the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:38.05, automatic).

Jennifer Luecht (Jr., Milwaukie, OR/Rex Putnam HS) recorded a time under the NCAA Division III provisional standard in the 400-meter run, but already owned a better qualifying mark. Her time at the Oregon Twilight was 57.46 seconds, 0.04 beneath the NCAA standard of 57.50. Luecht's top time so far this season is 57.23 seconds, set while winning the Northwest Conference title on April 25.

Other WU athletes who registered provisional qualifying marks on Saturday, but already had even better marks this spring were Grant Piros (Sr., Newberg, OR/Newberg HS) in the men's javelin and Maddie Coffman (Jr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) in the women's 1,500-meter run.

Piros threw the javelin 198'8" at Hayward Field. His top throw this spring is a personal record 203'0". Coffman completed the 1,500 in 4:34.90 on Saturday. Her top time of 2009 is 4:34.24.

The Bearcat women's 4 x 400-meter relay team put in a solid effort and moved below the four minute mark for the first time this spring. WU earned a time of 3:59.05. Running for the Bearcats were Luecht, Jaela Dinsmore (Fr., Hines, OR/Burns HS), Kaitlin St. John (Jr., Bend, OR/Mountain View HS) and Lydia Marsalli (Jr., Klamath Falls, OR/Klamath Union HS).

Steven Collins (So., Zillah, WA/Zillah HS) achieved a career-best distance in the hammer throw. His top attempt covered 167'6".

Willamette's next action is set for Thursday, May 14 at the Willamette Last Chance Meet. Events are scheduled to begin at the Charles Bowles Track at 3:30 p.m. (PDT)

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