Emma Stolte qualified for the NCAA West First Round in the 1,500 meters, becoming only the third Portland State University athlete to do so, according to a May 21 announcement from the university.
Stolte’s qualification marks a significant achievement for Portland State track and field. She is the first Viking since 2013 to reach this stage in the event. Her advancement highlights her standout season and adds another milestone to her athletic career.
Stolte earned her spot by setting a school record of 4:20.17 at the Bryan Clay Invitational on April 18. Earlier in the season, she broke a previous record with a time of 4:21.80 at the PNW Invite on March 20. In total, she set three school records this year: indoor 800 meters and outdoor 5k (twice), along with her two records in the outdoor 1,500 meters.
Her accomplishments also include winning Portland State’s first-ever Big Sky Conference title in the outdoor 5k and finishing second in the conference’s outdoor championship for the same event last week—marking her as one of only a few Vikings to podium twice outdoors since Genna Settle’s performance in 2017. Additionally, Stolte secured an all-conference finish at last fall’s Big Sky Cross Country Championships and accumulated three all-Big Sky honors during this academic year—the most by any Viking athlete over ten seasons.
Next week, Stolte will compete as an underdog; she is ranked last among forty-eight runners entered into Thursday’s first round of competition but could advance if she finishes among the top twelve athletes who move on to June’s NCAA Outdoor Championships.
