By: Mason Nesbitt, Sports Information Director

The request had an odd ring to it, but Kevin Pacheco complied anyway.

Monday, two days after the freshman won his heat in the 800 meters at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival, he was asked to walk someone through the final, blistering 200 meters.

“I did my first lap too slow,” Pacheco said. “I realized in the last 200 that I needed to pick it up if I wanted to be on pace. I basically sprinted with whatever energy I had left.”

Pacheco’s time of 1 minute, 59.15 seconds was a college personal best, and it came during an event full of them.

The 4×400 team of Emma Bahr, Tess Thompson, Janae Hickey and Seanna Nalbandyan set a new Mustang record (4:07.73).

Josh Nunez, Justin Harris and Tim Gutierrez each ran PR’s n the men’s 3,000 steeplechase.

Rachelle Nelson ran a PR in the 5,000 (18:24.47).

“She’s new to the track,” said coach Zach Schroeder, “and she’s learning a lot every time she races.”

Emily Bodine and Kayla Gray ran PRs in the mile, finishing second and fourth, respectively, in their heat.

Not to be left out, Rylee Bishop ran a season PR in the 800.

“San Francisco State hosts a quality meet that has become increasingly competitive,” Schroeder said. “The purpose of this meet is to put ourselves among some great competition and to have an opportunity to really bond as a team.”

The Mustangs spent Thursday exploring San Francisco sites like Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square, eating and taking pictures.

Then came the competition.

“It was a very relaxed but still competitive experience,” Pacheco said.

Pacheco – a Palmdale, California, product – followed his brother, Stephen, to TMU. Stephen, a junior and one of the Mustangs’ best distance runners, told Kevin the best part of TMU was the “Christ-based environment.”

It also provided an opportunity for the brothers to run together.

“It’s really cool. He’s the first person I knew on the team,” Kevin said. “I always have someone I can talk to and relate all my problems to.”