PORTLAND, Ore. - The regular season comes to a close for Portland State track and field as it heads to the Oregon Twilight meet, hosted by Oregon at Hayward Field. It will serve as a final tuneup and qualifier for the Vikings before the Big Sky Championship May 11-14.

LAST TIME OUT:
Portland State competed at the two-day Pacific Twilight meet in Forest Grove, Ore. Three Vikings claimed victories at the event and many set PR's, including some favorable results in the PSU record book.

Senior John Lawrence made a return to his signature event, the 3,000-meter steeplechase, after suffering an injury that held him out of competition for over a month. Lawrence returned to the track with a bang by winning the steeplechase with a time of 9:33.35. Classmate Nate Endicott finished right behind him with a time of 9:35.24.

Setting a new track record in the 200-meters was senior Karene King, running a humanly time for her at 24.54 seconds. The time broke former-Viking Jernise Saunders record of 24.64 seconds by .10 seconds.

The Vikings final victor at Lincoln Park Stadium was sophomore Geronne Black in the 100-meters, recording a time of 12.24 seconds. Black was a mere .02 seconds shy of tying Saunders track record of 12.22 in the event.

Previously unrecognized on Saturday was junior Spencer Moe who recorded one of the top hammer throws in Portland State history. Moe, a native of Aloha and transfer from North Dakota, finished seventh in the event with a throw of 153 feet, eight inches. The mark is the fourth-longest in school history and is an improvement of almost 17 feet for Moe.

Improving by almost 37 feet in the discus was freshman Luke Leddige, recording a throw of 123-10 to finish 18th. His previous best, 86-9, occurred at the Oregon Preview March 19. Leddige, primarily a hurdler for PSU, is looking to become a decathlete for the Viks in the future. He was the Oregon 6A champion in the 100-meter hurdles at Southridge.

Finally, for a third-consecutive meet, junior Quiana Jackson recorded a personal-best in the 400-meters with her time of 58.47 seconds. The time moves her up to No. 9 all-time at Portland State. Before clocking her PR Saturday, Jackson ran a 58.59 April 9 at the Mondo Invitational, followed by a 58.55 April 23 at the Oregon Relays.

HE'S COME A LONG WAY:
After beginning his career in Corvallis in an attempt to walk-on to the Oregon State football team, Sean Mackelvie has found a niche for himself in the Vikings throwing corps. He has the 41st best javelin throw in the NCAA this season and is on his way to this year's regional in Eugene May 26-28. He was profiled by Portland State feature's writer John Wykoff earlier this week. To read the story, click here.

REGIONALLY CONSIDERED:
Over the past few weeks, the Portland State Vikings have been putting up some awesome numbers that have earned the Vikings some regional and national recognition. The following Vikings are ranked within the NCAA West Region's top-48 in their respective event:

WOMEN
Name | Event(s) | Mark(s) | Rank
Geronne Black | 100m | 11.65 | 42nd
Karene King | 100m, 200m | 11.67, 23.86  | 45th, 43rd
Joenisha Vinson | 100m hurdles | 13.83 | 43rd
4x100m relay | 45.24 | 34th

MEN
Name | Event(s) | Mark(s) | Rank
Tony Crisofulli | 800m | 1:49.11 | 20th
Sean Mackelvie | Javelin | 221-4 | 19th

Note: Joenisha Vinson is ranked 15th in the heptathlon, but, since the event is only contested at nationals, it was note included. Vinson 25th in the country in the hep.

BIG SKY QUALIFIERS:
The athletes listed below have posted times or distances that qualify them for the Big Sky Outdoor Championship in Sacramento, Calif., May 11-14. The Vikings have met 21 qualifying standards this season with 16 athletes representing Portland State.

WOMEN
NAME | EVENT(S)
Geronne Black | 100m, 200m
Allison Burkett | Javelin
Adrienne Davis | Shot put
Karene King | 100m, 200m
Mikeya Nicholson | Triple jump
Anaiah Rhodes | 100m
Amber Rozcicha | 800m, 5,000m
Joenisha Vinson | 100m hurdles, 200m, heptathlon
4x100 relay team

MEN
NAME | EVENT(S)
Jeff Borgerson | High jump
Zach Carpenter | 10,000m
Tony Crisofulli | 800m
John Lawrence | 3000m steeplechase
Luke Leddige | 110m hurdles
Nate Lightner | 400m hurdles
Sean Mackelvie | javelin
DeShawn Shead | 110m hurdles

NEXT UP:
Portland State will head to Sacramento, Calif., for the Big Sky Championship May 11-14. The Vikings are hoping to stir the pot a little at the Championship and improve their standings from the Big Sky Preseason polls (seventh, women; ninth men).