EUGENE, Ore. — Ben Collins, a freshman for the Portland State cross country and track & field programs this past season, will race in his second U.S. meet of the year this weekend as he competes at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field.
 
Collins, who also raced at the USATF U20 Cross Country Championships in January, will compete in the first round of the men's 1,500 meters Friday at 3:45 p.m. Collins will race in the second of two heats that day, with the top four in each heat plus the next four fastest times advancing to the finals Sunday at 3:12 p.m.
 
Collins qualified for the meet after running a time of 3:51.24 while racing unattached at the Portland Distance Carnival on May 12. That time put him well under the qualifying standard of 3:53.44.
 
The last Portland State athlete to race at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships was Ian Vickstrom, who did so in 2019. Vickstrom qualified in the 10,000 meters, placing third in a time of 32:21.81. Vickstrom's third-place finish made him the first alternate for the Pan Am U20 Championships that year. Only the top two finishers in each individual event at the USATF U20 meet advance, as will be the case again for Collins this year.
 
Should Collins advance, the 2023 Pan Am U20 Championships will take place Aug. 4-6 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
 
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MEET SCHEDULE
Friday, July 7
Time                Event
3:45 p.m.         Men's U20 1,500 Meters (Heat 2 of 2 – Collins)
 
Sunday, July 9
Time                Event
3:12 p.m.         Men's U20 1,500 Meters (TBD)