Portland State Athletics has named Jean-Luc Toku and Tara Finigan as the Pacific Office Automation Athletes of the Month April. POA is sponsoring and recognizing outstanding student-athletes for their successes on and away from the competitive realm at Portland State.
 
Jean-Luc Toku, Men's Track & Field
 
Sophomore Jean-Luc Toku broke a 44-year-old school record in the men's triple jump at the Triton Invitational on April 22. Toku set the record with a mark of 48-07.25 (14.81m), surpassing the old record of 48-06.00 (14.78m) that Don Hall set in 1973.
 
Toku's record jump moved him up to seventh in the Big Sky this season in the triple jump, and Toku also stands tied for 66th in the event within the NCAA west region.
 
If Toku can improve on his record at the Big Sky Outdoor Championships, May 10-13, then he could be a threat to qualify for the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds at the end of the month. Toku will need to move into the top 48 in the NCAA west region in order to qualify, and the current 48th-best mark stands at 49-06.50 (14.10m) – just under a foot farther than Toku's record jump at the Triton Invitational.
 
The Portland State men's track & field team has never had an athlete qualify for the NCAA west regional meet in the triple jump, meaning Toku could be the first if he can improve his mark at conference.
 
Tara Finigan, Women's Golf
 
Tara Finigan wrapped up her sophomore season with numerous accolades. She tied for second place at the Bobcat Desert Invitational on April 11 with 75-71-72=218. Portland State placed second among 14 teams. She then tied for fifth at the Big Sky Conference Championship with teammate Krissy Peterson on April 23. Finigan earned All-Big Sky Tournament honors for her performance, shooting 77-72-77=226 during a windy tournament.
 
Finigan was named second team All-Big Sky Conference just prior to the Big Sky Championship for her season-long performance. She led the Vikings in scoring with 74.76 scoring average, third-best in school history. Finigan was the team leader in scoring in seven of 10 tournaments and made a team-high 73 birdies for the season. She won two tournament titles, was twice named Big Sky Conference Golfer of the Week and had six top-10 finishes.
 
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Sept. 2016: Maximo Espitia, Pati Anae
Oct. 2016: Alex Cisneros, Katie Forsee
Nov. 2016: Cam Keizur, Sidney Rielly
Dec. 2016: Calaen Robinson, Sidney Rielly
Jan. 2017: Alex Cisneros, Ashley Bolston
Feb. 2017: De'Sean Parsons, Genna Settle
Mar. 2017: Nathan Boniel, Shae Nelson
Apr. 2017: Jean-Luc Toku, Tara Finigan