By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
HAYWARD, Calif. -- Willamette University athletes Keith Carlson (Sr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) and Michael Montague (Jr., San Diego, CA/Canyon Crest Academy) each set a personal record in the men's 5,000-meter run at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic on Friday, March 29. The meet, previously known as the San Francisco State Distance Carnival, is still sponsored by San Francisco State University.
For the second consecutive year, the meet is being held at Chabot College due to construction at the SFSU stadium and track facility.
A total of 226 runners, divided into nine heats, finished the men's 5,000 and competed against time. Carlson placed 12th in the third heat in 14:33.05. He broke his previous personal record of 14:47.91 by 14.86 seconds. Montague took 13th place in the fifth heat with a time of 14:56.14. He lowered his personal record by 12.04 seconds from 15:09.18.
The previous top times for Carlson and Montague were both set earlier this season at the Willamette Opener on Saturday, March 2. They placed first and second, respectively, at the Willamette Opener.
On Friday, Carlson earned 46th place overall, while Montague placed 88th. Both were among the 93 runners who registered times under 15:00. The race featured primarily runners from NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II, plus Willamette from NCAA Division III. Also competing were athletes from the NAIA along with unattached runners.
Carlson's new top time ranks him fourth on the Division III national performance list for this season and moves him into sixth place on Willamette's all-time list. Montague is currently 20th on the Division III performance list.
The Bearcats will participate in the John Knight Twilight on Friday, April 5 at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon. Action for the Bearcats will begin early in the afternoon.