UP's Laura Pellicoro Runs 4:25.60 For NCAA-Leading Mile at Dempsey Indoor

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Ken Martinez photos

It’s safe to say the University of Washington Dempsey Indoor track is becoming a second home for Portland's Laura Pellicoro and also a place where she's making history.

Two weeks after running the all-time fastest collegiate 1,000 meters in a time of 2:37.04, the Pilots senior was back at Dempsey where she won the women’s mile in 4 minutes, 25.60 seconds. That's the fastest of all-time on an oversized indoor track and is an NCAA-leading time this winter.

Only Katelyn Tuohy and Maia Ramsden have run faster on an indoor oval. 

“(The plan was) just stay with the pacer,” Pellicoro said. “My coach and I were like, ‘Just follow the pacer, you’re in shape, you’re going to run good, as long as you try and push the last lap.’ I took over at 800 .. and I felt really good.” 

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Second place went to Kaylee Mitchell of Bowerman Track Club (4:27.67), while Grace Fetherstonhaugh of Pacific Athletics was third (4:28.19). Both Mitchell and Fetherstonhaugh are Oregon State alums. The University of Washington went 4-5-6, with Amina Maatoug (4:28.39), Chloe Forester (4:28.90) and Mia Cochran (4:33.77). 

Pellicoro will be back at Dempsey in two weeks for the Husky Classic and then she’ll travel home to Europe for the Italy Indoor Nationals February 22 and 23. Pellicoro, who battled an injury during the fall, said the training has been up and down but that she's on the right track again. 

As per tradition it seems, the men’s mile was won by a Husky under four minutes. Senior Leo Daschbach claimed his first collegiate win, clocking 3:56.63, just edging out teammate Acer Iverson (3:56.71). Eight men went under four minutes. 

“With 200 to go, (I) just took it and hammered it home, it was a good race,” Daschbach said. “Knowing that I can win races that are still fast is a confidence builder for sure.” 

In the women’s 800, Kristie Schoffield, a Boise State alum and NCAA champion, won the event in 2:02.58. Marta Freitas of Brooks Beasts was second in 2:02.71, which was a personal best for her in the event; a distance she said is out of her comfort zone. The time, and race, were also meaningful for her, as Freitas was diagnosed with breast cancer last year - a journey she’s chosen to share publicly on her social media platforms. 

“I’m so fortunate to be able to do what I love, but there are definitely adjustments I need to do to make sure I can do both,” she said. “And I can do both, I can be on top of my cancer treatments, and at the same time run a PR, which I am so so thankful for, and my team has been so helpful through this whole process.”

The men’s 800 Invitational race was won by University of Washington’s Cole Lindhorst in a meet-record time of 1:46.47, and teammate Justin O’Toole broke a facility record in the me’s 600, going 1:16.12, second-fastest in the NCAA this year. 

High schooler Alden Morales of J Serra Catholic CA ran a US#3 time of 1:51.11 for sixth place in the men's 800. 

In the field, 2024 Olympic Trials competitor and All-American jumper Prestin Artis claimed the long jump title in 7.74m (25-4.75) in possibly his final indoor meet at Dempsey. 

Oregon State’s Jayla Hooper claimed the women’s weight throw with 20.39m (66-10.75).

Adrian Piperi III, competing unattached, won the men’s shot put with 20.68m (67-10.25). 

The University of Washington’s Jami Schlueter won the men’s pentathlon title with 5,780 points.

Sofia Cosculluela, competing unattached, claimed the women’s pentathlon crown with 4,086 points.