Storming Eugene: Distance Crew Shines at LCC Open

EUGENE, Ore. — While the Chemeketa softball and baseball teams were battling it out on the diamond this weekend, the Storm's women's track and field distance specialists were making their own waves in "Track Town, USA." Competing at the LCC Open on Saturday, March 14, the Storm showcased their endurance and tactical growth against a competitive regional field.

From grueling 3000-meter grinds to a triumphant finish in the relay, the meet served as a testament to the team's early-season conditioning.

The Long Run: 3000m Endurance

The highlight of the individual performances came in the 3000-meter run, where a trio of Storm athletes tested their mettle over 7.5 laps. Sophia Harris led the Chemeketa pack, crossing the line in 12:34.78 to secure 18th place & 11th all-time at Chemeketa.

Following closely behind was Andrea Maciel Rodriguez, who posted a solid 13:05.39, 12th all-time at Chemeketa, with Mariela Soto Garcia rounding out the effort at 14:16.06, 13th all-time at Chemeketa. In a sport where pacing is everything, the ability of these three to stay within striking distance of one another throughout the race showed a disciplined team approach to the distance.

Milestones on the Oval

In the 1500m—often referred to as the "metric mile"—Gisselle Andrade-Jacobo turned in a gritty performance. She broke into the top 10 with a time of 7:06.21, 25th all-time at Chemeketa, proving her ability to maintain a high tempo in one of the track's most tactical races.

Meanwhile, Fernanda Robles represented the Storm in the 800m. While her final time was missing from the initial heat summaries, her presence in the two-lap sprint continues to solidify Chemeketa's middle-distance depth.

Relay Victory: Heat 1 Dominance

The loudest cheers of the day were reserved for the final event on the track. The 4x400m relay team—comprising Andrade-Jacobo, Maciel Rodriguez, Soto Garcia, and Harris—put on a clinic in Heat 1.

The quartet combined for a season-best time of 4:58.70, claiming 1st place in their heat. The performance was a display of pure chemistry, as the distance specialists dropped down in distance to showcase their speed and handoff precision.

LCC Open Recap: At a Glance

The Path Ahead

As the outdoor season begins to heat up, the Storm distance crew is proving that they are a force to be watched in the NWAC. With several athletes hitting key benchmarks in Eugene, the focus now shifts to shaving seconds off those individual times as they move toward the championship stretch of the schedule.

Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio     Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio