Carlson Moves Up to 12th in NCAA Division III with 14:27.27 in 5,000-meter Run

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Keith Carlson (Sr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) of Willamette University earned a personal record time of 14:27.27 in the men's 5,000-meter run to place third at the Portland Twilight on Friday, May 3. In the process, Carlson advanced from 18th up to 12th on the NCAA Division III performance list and moved up two spots into fourth on Willamette's all-time list. Also on Friday, Hope Duenas (Jr., Covina, CA/Covina HS) of Willamette placed third in the women's discus with a top throw of 146' 2".

Carlson's time was the fastest by a Willamette runner since 2004. His personal record prior to the Portland Twilight was 14:33.05, set just over a month ago on March 29 at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic (formerly San Francsico State University Distance Carnival). On Willamette's all-time list, Carlson trails only Dan Hall (14:11.76 in 1976), David Fleming (14:17.84 in 1976) and Jacob Stout (14:22.28 in 2004).

Duenas earned her top throw on Friday with her final attempt of the finals. Her mark of 146' 2' was just one foot, four inches away from her personal record of 147' 6", set last weekend when she won an individual NWC Championship in the discus. Duenas remained 12th on the NCAA Division III performance list.

Student-athletes in NCAA Division III have until May 16 to register times and marks before the selections for this year's NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships are announced. The top 22 student-athletes in each individual women's event and the top 20 student-athletes in each men's event will qualify for the NCAA Championships. A total of 16 relay teams will be chosen for each relay event.

Duenas and Saige Swan (Jr., Crescent City, CA/Del Norte HS) will compete in throwing events for the Bearcats at the Linfield Open on Saturday, May 4.