Castillo Wins 10,000 by Less than Half a Second at Willamette Invitational

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Charles Bowles Celebration of Distance at the Willamette Invitational on Friday, April 1, saved it's most exciting moment for the end of the longest race. Leo Castillo (Jr., Parkdale, OR/Hood River Valley) of Willamette University moved into the lead with less than 200 meters left, then held off Jonathan Marcus of the Bowerman Athletic Club to win the "A" section of the men's 10,000-meter run by 0.33 seconds.

Castillo saw Marcus moving along side him with about 50 meters to go. Castillo kept a slim lead across the finish line to win the race in 30:38.01. Marcus reached the finish in 30:38.34.

The winning time for Castillo was an NCAA Division III provisional qualifying result. He was more than half a minute faster than the provisional standard of 31:13.00.

Willamette's Kimber Mattox (Jr., Bend, OR/Bend HS/Cornell University) also earned an NCAA provisional qualifying result for the Bearcats. She placed second in the "A" section of the women's 5,000-meter run with a time of 17:10.28.

Mattox concluded the race well under the provisional standard of 17:35.00. Kristen Rohde of Run Portland took first place in 16:53.16.

In the "B" section of the women's 5,000-meter run, Willamette took third, fourth and sixth. Theresa Edwards (So., Lake Tapps, WA/Bonney Lake HS) was third in 18:37.85. Sally Venable (Jr., Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) placed fourth at 18:40.17 and Sarah McSweeney (Jr., Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) was sixth at 18:52.45.

Mattox, who recorded an NCAA provisional qualifying time and set the Charles Bowles Track record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Willamette Opener on March 5, did not compete in the event on Friday. Her time of 10:47.17 from earlier in the month stood up against a strong challenge from Tonya Turner of Whitworth University, who won Friday's race with an NCAA provisional qualifying time 10:48.99.

In the women's pole vault, Willamette's Katie Mariman (Fr., Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS) placed second after clearing 11'3.75" for a new season best. Mariman's previous top vault was 11'1.75" at the Oregon Preview. On Friday, Lindsay Beard of Lane CC finished first in the pole vault at 11'7.75".

Castillo's victory in the 10,000 was one of several solid efforts for the Bearcat men's team.

Ryan McLaughlin (Sr., Milwaukie, OR/Milwaukie HS) of WU placed ninth in the "A" section of the 1,500-meter run with a time of 3:58.71. Stefan Redfield (Sr., Sisters, OR/Sisters HS) competed in the "A" section of the 5,000-meter run and finished 14th in 14:53.88.

Spencer Clemmer (Jr., Sacramento, CA/Elk Grove HS) from Willamette tied his career-best in the pole vault by being successful on his first attempt at 13'9.25. Clemmer also cleared 13'9.25" at the Lane Preview on March 19. Steve Collins (Sr., Zillah, WA/Zillah HS) of WU achieved fifth in the hammer throw with a toss of 167'9".

The Willamette Invitational will continue on Saturday, April 2. Action in field events is set to begin at 10 a.m. (PDT). Running events will start at 12 p.m.