Aragon, Rainsberger in 1,500 at PTF

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Christina Aragon from Billings Senior MT and Katie Rainsberger from Air Academy CO appear to be lined up to race in the 1,500 meters at the Portland Track Festival on Sunday, June 12.

In the past two weeks, Aragon and Rainsberger ran PRs in the 1,500 that landed them at No. 4 and No. 5 all-time in the event. 

Aragon, who will attend Stanford in the fall, ran a five-second PR of 4:11.24 at the Payton Jordan Invitational in the only 1,500 meters of her season so far. 

Rainsberger, the NXN cross country and New Balance Nationals Indoor mile champion, has traveled to her future home at the University of Oregon to run 1,500 meters twice this season. At the Oregon Twilight meet, she ran 4:14.20. 

Both of those performances put Aragon and Rainsberger in range of being accepted to the Olympic Trials. In 2012, 30 women were accepted into the 1,500 meters and the last runner in made it with 4:13.04. 

Ella Donaghu, the No. 3-ranked runner in the country this season and No. 6 all-time, ran 4:15.28 at the Payton Jordan Invitational. She lives in Portland, has run at the Portland Track Festival in the past, but is not yet registered for this year's meet.