CORVALLIS, Ore. – With less than a week to go before the Cascade Collegiate Conference Track and Field Championships, the UBC Thunderbirds' endurance athletes once again proved the blue and gold are a force to be reckoned with thanks to a terrific meet hosted by Oregon State University Friday and Saturday.

No fewer than 11 personal bests were recorded at OSU's Whyte Track and Field Center as the defending NAIA Champions continue to round into form when it matters most.

"Friday was a bit rough as windy conditions impacted races and results don't reflect the hard work our athletes have put in this season. Fortunately, it was calmer on Saturday and we had race after race of well-executed results," said UBC lead endurance coach, Steve Weiler. "Onwards now to the championships!"



Mackenzie Campbell continued her outstanding senior season, posting a new personal best in the women's 1500 metres with a third place finishing time of 4:22.12. Shaving more than four seconds off her previous 'A' Standard time this season, it bumps her up to the NAIA's number two ranking.

Sarah MacGillivray finished eighth in the women's 1500 with a 4:28.65.

Maximilien Filion bettered his previous personal best in the men's 5000 metres set earlier this season with a 14:24.77 second place finish Friday night, the new sixth ranked time in the NAIA. The junior T-Bird now has two top-10 ranked marks including his number one steeplechase.

Elysse Fleming also set a new lifetime best in the women's 5000. Her fifth-place time of 16:48.99 makes 'A' Standard to book her spot at the upcoming NAIA National Championship and now stands as the new number five ranking. Fleming now boasts three top-five ranked marks, currently holding down the number one steeplechase and the fourth best 1500.



"This weekend definitely had some challenges including really windy conditions Friday, but the team still had some really strong races," said Fleming who is preparing for her fourth and final NAIA Championship meet later this month. "This meet is a lot of fun getting good race opportunities but also seeing how our athletes support one another. Being a senior on the team, it was really cool to see so many personal bests as well as seeing the younger athletes cheer everyone on. I think it speaks volumes about our team culture and how much this fun and supportive atmosphere can lead to great results."

Campbell was back setting new lifetime achievements Saturday in the 800 metres, kickstarting what was an incredible series of 800 metre heats for the blue and gold. Crossing the finish line in 2:06.55, Campbell improved upon her existing number two ranked mark by more than half a second.

Sophomore T-Bird Rachel McDonald hit a PB in the women's 800 metres with a time of 2:13.94, just seven one-hundredths ahead of Fleming who also ran a new lifetime best.

Freshmen Brea Gillette and Alexandra Smith both also set new PB marks in the 800.



Kai Martland ran a personal best 1:52.97 in the men's 800 to claim first place in a division including nearly 60 athletes. Max Holmes and Will Lesyna finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

Freshman Miles Graham ran a new personal best in the men's 3000 metre steeplechase by clocking in at 9:34.34.

Rian Wilson entered the grueling 10,000 metres for the first time Friday night and managed a first place finish in 32:09.06.

"This last weekend before the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships, we saw some really strong performances from our endurance squad," said UBC head coach, Laurier Primeau. "Mackenzie Campbell showed the ability to double back with a great 1500/800 sequence. It was also really encouraging to see depth and strength in the women's half mile from Rachel McDonald, Brea Gillete and Alexandra Smith as this gives our 4x800 metre relay some momentum when combined with the usual suspects of Mackenzie, Sarah MacGillivray and Elysse Fleming."



"I think Max Filion has to be happy with a 63 second final quarter in the 5000 and Kai Martland has every reason to feel confident going into championship season after his 800 metre PB today."

Also competing this weekend at the Jennifer Rogers Swan Memorial meet in Abbotsford, Alessandra Ionescu-Zanetti set a new personal best heptathlon total with 4380 points.  

It's now officially turning into championship season for the 'Birds who will be headed back to Oregon for the 2026 CCC Championships Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, hosted by Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.

The 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships will soon follow, this year's meet taking place in Asheville, North Carolina May 20-22.
 
OSU High Performance Results