McMINNVILLE/SALEM, Ore. – It was a good showing to start the outdoor season for the Western Oregon University track and field teams on Saturday, posting multiple top finishes, along with some personal records at both the Willamette Opener and Erik Anderson Memorial Invite.
Starting from Friday's action, Sawyer Heckard ran a new personal record time in the men's 10k when he crossed with a time of 32:20.83 to come in ninth at Linfield. Other strong results from that same meet include Dominic Giordano winning the men's 3k steeplechase with a time of 9:28.49. Hunter Mosman wasn't far behind in second coming in with a time of 9:37.94.
"I'm content with the race for the start to the season for the both of us (Hunter as well)," Giordano said. "Always great to have my teammate Hunter out there to work together with. Looking to build off the momentum and see what we can do. Just planning on taking it one race at a time!"
Nick Sieber led a 1-2 finish for the Wolves in the men's shot put at Willamette when he hit a distance of 47-5. Teammate Owen Collins was right behind with a throw of 47-3.5 to come in second. Karsten Collins had a throw good for fifth that reached 46-2.75, Sam Cole was sixth with a distance of 45-7.75 and Chris Steffey in seventh hitting a mark of 45-7.25.
"It was a good first meet. I think the throwers were happy with their marks and we're looking forward to the rest of the season," Sieber said.
Steffey then led the squad in the men's discus hitting a mark of 148-5 to come in first. Sieber came in third with a distance of 144-5, Karsten Collins in fourth with a mark of 138-3, Owen Collins in sixth with a distance of 128-5 and Mitch Kruse in seventh hitting a distance of 124-0.
Jarren Ford led a pair of Wolves in the men's 100-meter when he won the title with a time of 11.26. Kruse came across in fourth with a time of 11.86.
Trey Reed led five Wolves in the men's 800-meters when he won the event with a time of 2:00.59. Bryce Mefford came in second with a time of 2:01.90, just beating out Teylor Howard's time of 2:01.96 in third. Carson Austin crossed in fifth with a time of 2:02.42 and Dustyn McKenney in sixth with a time of 2:05.45.
Neal Cranston led the way in the men's 1,500-meter run coming in first with a time of 4:14.84. Stephen Fey crossed in second with a time of 4:19.43.
Brennen Sorah led three Wolves when he came in first with a time of 16.31 in the men's 110-meter hurdles. Deshaun Stevens crossed in second with a time of 17.11 and Jake Thompson in third with a time of 18.48.
Aaron Hanible won the men's 400-meter hurdles with a time of 57.12.
Jillian Greene won the women's 800-meter with a time of 2:22.71. Greene added to that title win by taking the women's 1,500-meter with a time of 4:54.92.
"Although there weren't very many other competitors, it was a really fun meet to run in and overall a great experience!" Greene said.
Lauren Berry came in eighth in the women's 100-meter with a time of 13.82.
Bethanie Altamirano led the way in the women's 200-meter with a time of 27.20. Makenzie Smith also ran in the event, coming in eighth with a time of 29.51. Altamirano then added another win in the women's 400-meter with a time of 59.89. Grayson Burke crossed in second with a time of 1:00.57 and Sarra Soladey in third with a time of 1:01.98.
Kaylin Cantu won the women's 5k with a time of 18:50.12.
Ana Popchock led the way for the Wolves in the women's 100-meter hurdles with a top time of 15.86. Smith added a time of 18.84 to come in fifth.
Popchock then led the Wolves in the women's 400-meter hurdles coming in with a time of 1:07.70 to come in second. Michaela Yonkman added a time of 1:09.71 to come in third.
WOU will return to action in the outdoor portion of the schedule next Saturday in Forest Grove, Ore., at the Pacific University Invite, while Derek Holdsworth, Justin Crosswhite, Gabe Arce-Torres and Max Carmona will compete in the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships in Birmingham, Ala., Mar. 13-14.
