Head coach Joseph Blue said on April 15 that he feels confident as the Portland State Vikings track and field teams get ready to compete in three separate meets in Southern California this week.
The trip marks an important moment for the team, with athletes set to participate in the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate in Long Beach, the Leopard Invitational in La Verne, and the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa. One athlete will also compete at the Oregon Team Invitational in Eugene. Blue said there is a strong sense of anticipation among his athletes: “I feel a good energy [on the team] around how we expect to perform. It’s the most I’ve felt that way this season… I really feel confident with what they’re doing, and I can feel something good is going to happen this weekend.”
Blue explained that his optimism comes from steady improvement over recent weeks rather than any single factor. He added, “There’s not one thing I’ll point to and say, ‘hey, this is going to happen.’ But I feel the energy at practice. Our kids are working and are focused.” He emphasized that athletes know they are facing a high-level weekend: “They have an expectation to perform at these meets. They know this is a high-level weekend. They’ve got to go out and do it.”
Emma Stolte stands out among Viking competitors after breaking a 39-year-old women’s 5k record at Stanford earlier this season with a time of 16:01.44—well under recent NCAA West First Round qualifying times—but she will aim for another strong result Friday at Bryan Clay Invitational as well as seek qualification in Saturday’s 1,500 meters event.
Freshmen Jack Macdonald and Isaiah Cadengo have also made their mark by setting freshman records at various distances during previous competitions; both will race again across multiple events during these upcoming meets.
Blue noted that everyone has opportunities ahead: “Everybody has the opportunity,” he said about chasing regional marks. “We’ll just continue to improve and see who’s going to show up and be that.” The coach added he looks forward not only to competition but also reuniting with family while back home near Los Angeles for his daughter’s birthday: “It’ll be my first time stepping back out there as a head coach… I just want my kids to perform… And I’ll be happy if they do that.”
