Results

EUGENE, Ore. -- Mason Villarma ran the third-fastest 1,500-meter time in Gonzaga men's track program history at the Oregon Twilight Friday.

Running at Historic Hayward Field, Villarma crossed the line in fourth at 3:46.26. He improved his previous personal record of 3:47.12, which was fourth all-time at GU, ran earlier this season on the same track at the Oregon Relays. The freshman led the talented field after the third lap, before Oregon's Matthew Maton used a big kick over the final 300 meters to win the race at 3:42.68.

"Mason ran a nice personal record," Director of GU Track Pat Tyson said. "He had a tough last 200 meters, but he is closing in on that 3:44.00 mark we think he has to make to qualify for the NCAA West Regionals. He ran bold and to win!"

Kyle Branch improved his 3,000-meter steeplechase personal record. He finished with a time of 9:03.03, and remains fourth on the program's all-time list. The senior ran a 9:04.18 at the Oregon Relays in April. He placed fifth in Friday's race. Isaac Updike of Team Run Eugene won the race at 8:43.91.

Kellen Manley bounced up from a hard fall and came in ninth at 9:20.92. He ran the third-fastest time in program history at the Oregon Relays at 9:01.06.

"Kellen went down hard as a guy's hand hit his foot which caused the mishap," Tyson said. "He had six-plus laps to go and fought it instead of feeding off of it! His knee is a bit bruised but there's no limp. Kyle ran pretty well and closed hard on the fourth-place finisher. Kyle and Kellen are both hungry for Salem!"

Gonzaga runs at the West Coast Invitational on Thursday in Salem, Ore. The Bulldogs close the regular season at the Portland Twilight on May 15.