Track & Field | 2/25/2010 6:03:39 PM

[Men's top 10 indoor records]  [Women's top 10 indoor records]
[Photo gallery of GNAC Indoor Championships courtesy of Jayce Giddens]

MOUMOUTH, Ore. - Even with two meets still remaining on the indoor schedule it has already been an historic season for the Western Oregon University men's and women's track & field teams.

The Wolves have assaulted the school record books in the first five meets of the season placing 47 names on top 10 lists and earning nine school records. In the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Indoor Championship alone, 39 Western Oregon student-athletes moved their name up on the school's all-time performance list, five set school records and four shattered GNAC Indoor Championship meet records.

The Wolves have also diversified their school records with individuals earning marks in the sprints, distance races, throwing events, jumps and the relay races. Western Oregon student-athletes are also becoming more versatile with seven women and 10 men earning their spot on two or more performance lists.

These are not recent records that are being broken either, with some dating back over 20 years. Of the nine school records earned, seven eclipsed marks that had stood for at least five years and three topped records that were in place for over 15 seasons. Jeff Long's time of 4:11.49 in the mile was the fastest time in 21 years, since Wes Tilgner posted a time of 4:13.55 in 1989.

Those earning the school record for the women were Sarah Kathrein in the 200m (22.59), Annan Applebee in the 800m (2:11.43) and Ashley Potter in the triple jump (38-10). On the men's side Andy Locutoff earned his school record in the 60m hurdles (8.34), Jeff Long in the mile (4:11.49), Chris Reed in the 5000m (14:32.66) and Matson Hardie in the long jump (23-8), along with the 4x400m relay team (3:17.41) and the distance medley relay team (10:22.99).

The team will be back in action this Saturday (Feb. 27), at the Seattle Pacific Last Chance meet, as members of the team will have one last opportunity to try and qualify for the NCAA Division II Nationals in Albuquerque, N.M.

Competing for the women will be Ashley Potter in the triple jump, while Janelle Everetts, Zoe Skordahl and Erica Zambon will run in the 800m.

On the men's side, the Wolves will take two complete 4x400m relay teams along with Michael Brown, Conner Kasler, Mike Schmidt and Carson O'Brien in the 800m. Chris Reed will also run in the mile for the first time this season. He will be joined in the race by school record holder Jeff Long and sophomore Dan Sprinkle. Matson Hardie will also participate in the long jump and triple jump.