Piacsek and Matteson Win Steeplechase during Distance Carnival at Titan Invite

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

EUGENE, Ore. -- Willamette University runners Audrey Piacsek (Sr., Ellensburg, WA/Ellensburg HS) and Alex Matteson (Sr., Seattle, WA/Nathan Hale HS) won the 3,000-meter steeplechase events during the Distance Carnival at the Titan Invitational on Friday, April 8 at Lane Community College. WU athletes also competed in the men's 800-meter run, the women's 1,500-meter run, and the men's 5,000-meter run at the Distance Carnival.

Piacsek took first place in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 12:12.24. She has attained times under 12:20 in all three of her steeplechase races this season.

In the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase, Matteson earned a winning time of 9:44.13, as he led a 1-2-4 finish for the Bearcats. Carson Herrick (Sr., Newberg, OR/Newberg HS) placed second in 10:31.18, setting a personal record that broke his previous top time of 10:33.21 at the Jenn Boyman Invitational on April 2. Ian Curtis (Sr., Eugene, OR/South Eugene HS) was fourth in the steeplechase at the Distance Carnival in 11:00.18.

Three Bearcats placed in the top eight of the men's 5,000-meter run. Gabriel Regimbal (Sr., Bellingham, WA/Squalicum HS) led the way by taking third place with a personal record time of 15:44.67. His previous best was 15:50.71 during the Willamette vs. Corban Dual #1 in 2021. Milo Greenberg (Fy., Seattle, WA/The Northwest School) was fifth in the 5,000 on Friday with a time of 16:18.65, as he also set a personal record. His top time prior to the Distance Carnival was 16:21.73 at the Willamette Opener earlier this year. Joshua Evans (Fy., Lafayette, CA/Acalanes HS) placed seventh on Friday in 16:31.98.

Leila Fischer (So., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) placed fifth for the Bearcats in the women's 1,500-meter run. She registered a time of  5:10.16, which set a personal record, breaking her previous best time of 5:13.49, set this past Saturday at the Jenn Boyman Invitational.

Andres Huante (So., Bloomington, CA/Grand Terrace HS) of Willamette was ninth out of 20 runners in the men's 800-meter run. He was timed at 2:05.49.

The Titan Invitational will continue with all of the remaining events on Saturday, April 9.