The Big Sky Outdoor Championships are over, but track and field season continues. Portland State had some very successful athletes this season, and some of them will be moving on to the NCAA West Regional in Austin, Texas.
The Vikings going are Geronne Black, Sean Mackelvie and the 4×100 relay team, which consists of Black, Sierra Brooks, Anaiah Rhodes and Jazmin Ratcliff. The relay team set the Portland State record during the outdoor championships and took home the gold medal. Portland State is proving it can play with the big dogs.
“Everybody expects to see Oregon there. They expect to see Texas A&M. They don’t expect to see Portland State,” head coach Ronnye Harrison said. “That’s how you make your program better. You got to get people to the big show.”
This year’s athletes definitely put on a good show. Mackelvie took home the gold medal in the men’s javelin, and he threw third best ever at Portland State. Black added to her long list of accomplishments by winning the 100-meter dash. The junior sprinter has led the Big Sky Conference all season and hopes to continue with her success in Austin.
“They have been the ones that have been dedicated,” assistant coach Seth Henson said. “They have given up their time to train hard and be successful. A lot of those girls trained all summer to be where they are at. Sean is a kid who has always been willing to put in the hard work.”
Many athletes grew this year, specifically Mackelvie. He’s put in the time, not just working on his distance but also perfecting his technique. It paid off, as he was the best in the conference.
“[He] mentally decided to be successful and not be afraid of success,” Henson said. “He understands that he’s got what it takes to throw far, so he doesn’t need to go to a track meet and try to throw as hard as he can. He can relax and execute the technique.”
Training paid off for other athletes as well. Black led the conference all season in the 100-meter. She broke Portland State records, Big Sky Conference records and her own records. The junior was the favorite to win the conference all season, and she did exactly that.
“The goal we have always had is to get her to nationals,” Harrison said. “It’s about setting the bar high enough. We have always wanted to make sure that she doesn’t get stuck at the conference level. We want to get national-level athletes to nationals.”
As far as expectations go, Black, Mackelvie and the relay team all have outside shots of advancing to the next round in Des Moines, Iowa. They are competing with the top 25 athletes and teams, and only the best 12 will continue. Black holds the 19th best time of the 25, and the relay team is 21st. If Mackelvie finishes in 13th to 16th, then he will get three more throws to try to make the top 12.
“We feel like all the people we are taking have a good opportunity to move on to the next round,” Henson said. “We’re excited this year. It’ll be a good experience for the student athletes.”
The meet will take place at the University of Texas. “It’s a wonderful track and field facility, maybe one of the best in the nation,” Henson said.
The NCAA Outdoor Regional is set for May 24–26.