By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Distance runner Patrick Loftus (Jr., Santa Rosa, CA/Sonoma Academy) of Willamette University has been named Northwest Conference Men's Track Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts at the San Francisco State University Distance Carnival on Friday, March 31.

Loftus registered a season-best time of 9:25.09 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at San Francisco State. He set his season best by more than two seconds. Loftus placed 29th out of 74 runners in the event.

His time at the Distance Carnival moved him up to fourth on the NCAA Division III perfomance list for this season. In addition, he leads the NWC in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Loftus qualified for the 2016 NCAA Championships in the steeplechase. He placed 19th in the nation.

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, April 7 at the John Knight Twilight in Monmouth, Oregon. Meet time for field events is set for 1 p.m. (PDT) with track events beginning at 4 p.m. The meet will be held at McArthur Field on the Western Oregon University campus.