College Notebook: GNAC honors Porter

Saint Martin’s University junior Shannon Porter was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Women’s Track Athlete of the Week after marking her return to collegiate competition by setting a school record in the 3,000 meters at the Washington State Open meet in Pullman on Jan. 23-24.

The Hockinson High School graduate, whose story was detailed in the Jan. 22 edition of The Columbian, took nearly 14 seconds off the SMU record. She finished fourth in 10 minutes, 29.64 seconds, breaking the record of 10:43.62 set in 2006 by Anna McCannick.

“Shannon has been a terrific addition to the Saints squad this semester,” head coach Jim Brewer told the school website smusaints.com. “She has a tremendous work ethic and has immediately become a real inspiration to her teammates. As a result, it is no surprise that she help set two school records in her very first meet as a Saint this last weekend.”

Porter also ran in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays, and was part of another school record in the longer race.

“She led the women’s 4×800 team on Friday and then turned around and ran two more races the following Saturday,” Brewer told the website. “I am excited to see where she will be at the end of the season as her fitness improves. There is no doubt, Shannon is a real competitor and has a lot more in the tank.”

indoor track

Kirkov helps distance medley top NAIA list

Concordia University junior Roman Kirkov was part of the Cavaliers’ distance medley relay team that posted the top time in the event in the NAIA so far in the young indoor track and field season.

The Union High school graduate teamed with Austin Collins, Demetrius Rhodes and Brad Prettyman for a time of 10 minutes, 9.42 seconds at the University of Washington Invitational on Saturday at the Dempsey Indoor facility in Seattle.

That is the top time in NAIA this indoor season, according to the university’s website.

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