Thursday, the Seattle University track and field team traveled to Portland, Ore. to compete in the Portland Indoor Invitational.
Imagine riding in a van for 174 miles, and then competing in three events at the same time just two hours later.
If you’re Mandie Maddux, you break three personal records, including a school record.
For the second time this year, she broke her own indoor school record in the shot put, this time throwing 11.91 meters (39’-1”).
Meanwhile, she also set new personal records in the long jump with a distance of 5.04 meters (16’-6.5”) and the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 9.33.
“Mandie had a great meet, especially given all three of her events were held at the same time,” assistant coach Chad Pharis said. “She stayed focused and competed hard.”
Shaddye Melu also competed well in Portland.
Melu tied his personal record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 22.42, and he finished in first place in the 400 meter with a time of 48.65.
Pharis said he expects him to be able to post even faster times this season.
Not to be outdone, distance runners had a good day, too.
Chay Weaver (4:23.15), Lila Rice (5:05.28), and Johanna Erickson (5:14.7) all set personal records in the one mile run.
"The milers all ran well today," head coach Trisha Steidl said. "It was great to see quite a few people run PRs."
In the 3,000 meter run, Ben Monk (8:43.33), Collin Olson (8:47.29), Eli Boudouris (8:59.11), and Cal Davidson-Turner (9:02.59) all set personal records on the men’s side.
On the women’s side in the same event, Olivia Stein (10:11.26), Moira O’Connor Lenth (10:11.86), and Lindsay Frederick (10:39.06) broke their own personal records.
Stein and O’Connor Lenth finished second and third place, respectively, in the 3,000 meter run.
"There were strong races all around in the 3,000," Steidl said. "Everyone was tough and gave their best effort. There were a lot of PRs, but even those who didn't run PRs put out great efforts today and gave it all they had."
The last personal record broken Thursday was by Abby Wachter, who broke her indoor personal record in the 400 meter dash with a time of 59.94.
"I am proud of everyone's efforts out there today - whole team," Steidl said.
Steidl made sure to point out that it's unrealistic to think they'll set a personal record every time out there. Instead, she said they can always give their best effort.
Thursday, the team gave their best effort, and it showed. Steidl said this is a great foundation to build on.
Next up, the team goes back to Dempsey Indoor at the University of Washington to compete in the Husky Classic. That meet runs Feb. 12 through Feb. 13.