MCMINNVILLE/SALEM, Ore. – After winning both team titles at GNAC Indoors, Western Oregon's track and field teams turned their focus to outdoor track. On Friday night, the team sent a pair of distance runners to Linfield College to open their season. On Saturday, a larger group of athletes traveled to Salem to compete in the Willamette Opener.  It was a blustery and rainy day which made for some difficult running conditions. With the blustery conditions throughout the day, many of the marks are wind-aided times.

After long and consistent weeks of training, Cedar Davis-Frankfort ran a massive personal best in the event. Davis-Frankfort crossed the line in a time of 32:48 in the 10,000, which earned him an 83-second personal best. Davis-Frankfort's consistent splits payed off as he finished 19th place in a field of 53 runners.

Emily Johnson had a solid debut in the 10,000 as she finished 16th place in a 27-person field. Johnson looks to continue to improve in the event as she primarily focused on the 5,000 last season.

Alex Driesner continues to thrive in his first outdoor competition as a Wolf. Driesner finished first overall in the 100 with a time of 11.04 seconds. Amari Hendrix finished not far behind as he placed third in a time of 11.18.

In the men's javelin, Eli Nafziger led the way with a second-place finish with a throw of 163 feet, 6 inches. This was Nafziger's first outing of the 2023 season. Ty Abernathy had a strong outing as he threw 141-9 to finish fifth. Jake Thompson had a solid opener as he threw 137-11 to finish sixth. 

In the women's javelin, Kaylee Wright won the meet with a throw of 133-2. This was Wright's first competition since competing in the 2022 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships  Lyndee McLauchlin earned herself a third-place finish with a throw of 128-10. Madison Haregot made her debut to finish eighth (98-3). 

Maya Hopwood had a strong start to her outdoor season as she finished first in the 100 in a time of 12.44. Josie Lovato finished third in the 100 - only .02 off her personal best.

Wyatt Smith's strong last 200 meters was enough to win the 800 in a time of 1:58.6. Rami Dear finished second in the event in a time of 2:00.4.

Katie Chapman won the women's 1,500 in 5:03.4, running wire to wire. 

Bryce Mefford had a strong last 400 to earn himself third in the 1,500. Dustyn McKenney came in sixth place with teammate James Lackey not far behind to finish seventh. 

Deshaun Stevens had a strong outing in the 400 hurdles as he placed 3rd in a time of 57.4 - a personal best.

Madeline Lambing won the women's 400 hurdles by five seconds to finish in a time of 1:06.33.

Amariyah Clay continues to improve as she threw a personal best in shot put with a throw of 30-5 to finish in seventh place. Macy Clemens also threw a personal best with a throw of 29-7 to come in eighth.

In the men's shot put, Brennen Sorah led the way to finish in 4th with a throw of 36-5. Gabriel Burchfield threw 34-9.5 which earned him a sixth-place finish. Not far behind, JJ Walker threw 34-9 to finish in seventh.