The Rundown
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In the first day of the NCAA West Preliminaries, the University of San Francisco's track and field team had two women qualify for the national championships in June.
 
In the final event and race of the evening, the duo of Charlotte Taylor and Weronika Pyzik would shine for the Dons in the 10,000-meters. Taylor, the defending national champion in the 10,000m, turned in a seasonal best with her mark of 32:20.25, which saw her finish third overall. Pyzik would cross the line with a personal best, as the junior would place eighth with her time of 32:37.89. Those marks advance the pair to the NCAA National Championships in Eugene, Ore. On June 6-9.
 
On the men's side, it would be Jack Rowe leading the way for the Dons in the 10,000m. In his final race of the 2018 season, Rowe would finish just out of the qualifying positions in 13th with his time of 29:21.28.
 
Racing alongside Rowe in the 10,000m was Ben Alcock, who finished out his senior campaign placing 42nd with his time of 30:39.76.
 
Tomorrow, two men will take to the track to compete in the 3,000m steeplechase. Mohamed Aziz (heat 1) and Alex Howard (heat 2) will take to the track for the quarterfinals, with the top three from each heat, and the top three best times advancing to nationals in Eugene, Ore.

COACHES QUOTES
Head coach Helen Lehman-Winters
On Rowe's performance in the 10,000m
"I am so proud of how hard Jack competed this evening, it is just unfortunate for him to come up short. The field was stacked and he fought hard in tightly packed field for the entire 25 laps."

On the duo of Taylor and Pyzik
"The women's 10k race was the fastest in NCAA West region history. Our plan for both Charlotte and Weronika was to just tuck into the front pack and run comfortably to advance to the final.  They both executed perfectly and we are feeling very good as they both are just getting things started and will be a lot better in two weeks. It is truly special that they will have the opportunity to compete in Eugene together."

 
USF Results
Thursday:
10,000m (M) – heats beginning at 9:00 p.m.
13. Jack Rowe – 29:21.28
42. Ben Alcock – 30:39.76
 
10,000m (W) – heats beginning at 9:40 p.m.
3. Charlotte Taylor – 32:20.25
8. Weronika Pyzik – 32:37.89
 
USF Schedule
Friday:
3,000m Steeplechase (M) – heats beginning at 8:20 p.m.
Mohamed Aziz
Alex Howard
 
Saturday:
5,000m (M) – heats beginning at 8:05 p.m.
Jacob Allen
 
5,000m (W) – heats beginning at 8:45 p.m.
Weronika Pyzik
Charlotte Taylor