Triple Threat: Storm Distance and Sprint Crews Climb All-Time School Lists
The Grind Pays Off: Chemeketa Track Climbs NWAC Rankings Ahead of Regionals
Storm Track & Field Chases History at Linfield Open; Three Join All-Time Leaderboards
McMINNVILLE, Ore. — The Chemeketa Storm brought the "Grind" to the Linfield Open this past Saturday, leaving the track with more than just season-best times. In a dominant display of speed and tactical racing, the Storm secured conference-climbing marks and three new entries into the program's prestigious all-time leaderboards.
With the postseason looming, the performance served as a definitive statement: the Storm are peaking at exactly the right time.
The 800m Battle: A Photo Finish for the Record Books
The afternoon's highlight featured a high-stakes duel in the women's 800m. Alyssa Collins and Andrea Maciel Rodriguez found themselves locked in a dogfight with an opposing squad, culminating in a thrilling photo finish that pushed both athletes into the Chemeketa history books.
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Alyssa Collins, in a stellar 800m debut, fought her way to a 2:47.19. This performance immediately slots her in at #15 on the Chemeketa All-Time List.
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Andrea Maciel Rodriguez was right on her heels, digging deep to drop a personal best of 2:48.81. That gritty effort moved her to #17 on the All-Time School List.
Lezama Hits the "Double 11"
Arianna Lezama put on a clinic in speed and consistency. She clocked a season-best 1:08.80 in the 400m, which currently ranks her #26 in the NWAC and moves her to #11 All-Time for the Storm.
Lezama wasn't finished there; she returned in the 200m to clock another season-best of 29.79, incredibly claiming the #11 All-Time spot in that event as well. She is now officially on "Top 20 Watch" for the conference as she heads into the regional championships.
Soto Garcia Returns to the Track
After a six-week layoff, Mariela Soto Garcia made a successful return to competition in the 1500m. Crossing the line in 6:34.53, Soto Garcia used the race to shake off competitive rust and find her racing rhythm. She is now primed to move back down to her signature 800m distance for the upcoming championships.
Linfield Open: Historic Marks
| Athlete | Event | Mark | All-Time Rank |
| Arianna Lezama | 400m | 1:08.80 | #11 |
| Arianna Lezama | 200m | 29.79 | #11 |
| Alyssa Collins | 800m | 2:47.19 | #15 |
| Andrea Maciel Rodriguez | 800m | 2:48.81 | #17 |
The Final Quest: The 4x400 Relay
Looking ahead to the South Region Championships in Roseburg, the Storm ladies are locked in on one final goal: 4x400m relay qualification.
The squad is preparing for one final attempt at punching their ticket to the NWAC Championships. With the "right legs" falling into place and individual speed peaking across the roster, the Storm is ready to leave it all on the track in pursuit of that qualifying mark.
Up Next
The Storm heads to Roseburg on Saturday, May 9th, for the NWAC South Region Championships. The "Grind" continues as Chemeketa chases history and those final coveted relay spots.
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