PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland State track and field and cross country signee Alejandro Cisneros of Hermiston, Ore., became the national prep leader in the 3,000 meters last week with a time of 8:32.10 at the East County Classic at Mt. Hood Community College.
 
Cisneros, who signed with the Vikings in March, set a 17-second PR in running the national-leading time, which would also already rank him sixth on the all-time performance list at Portland State in the outdoor 3,000 meters.
 
"It's always wonderful when you can sign someone at the beginning of the signing period, and then just watch them flourish as they finish their prep careers," PSU head coach Ronnye Harrison said. "That's what's happened with Cisneros. Assistant coach Jonathan Marcus identified him as someone to target early, and we moved forward with it.
 
"It's really a great feeling knowing that this kid is going to be a PSU Viking next year."
 
Cisneros moved past fellow Oregonian Mitchell Butler of Siuslaw, Ore., in taking over the national lead in the 3,000. Butler, who will run at the University of Oregon himself, ran the 3,000 in 8:37.39 at the Oregon Preview.
 
Cisneros will open competition for the Vikings with the men's cross country team in the fall. Ciseneros is also the Vikings' second distance runner from Hermiston High School in the past two seasons, after freshman Maggie Coleman joined the PSU program last fall.