Wolves Finish 2nd, 3rd at GNAC Meet

WOU women win seven events, but place second behind SPU.

Salem-News.com Sports

MONMOUTH - The Western Oregon women won seven individual events but it wasn`t quite enough to overcome Seattle Pacific as the Falcons edged the Wolves 203-188 to win the team title at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships on Saturday at McArthur Field.

In the winning the crown, the Falcons broke a string of three straight Western Oregon team championships—the Wolves had won in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Central Washington captured the men`s team championship, topping defending title winner Western Washington, 222-188. Western Oregon was third in 107.

The WOU women won seven events, including two by Bridget Johnson—the 100 hurdles (15.03) and the heptathlon (5,053), which was contested last week. The Wolves also took the top three spots in the long jump and claimed places 1-3-4-5 in the shot put to pile up points.

Seattle Pacific won just four individual events, but filled the gaps enough to outpace the Wolves.

In addition to Johnson (who also placed third in the javelin, third in the long jump and fifth in the shot put), the Wolves had individual champions in Sarajane Rosenberg in the long jump (17-5 ½), Keyanna Jenkins in the 100 meters (12.44), Jennie Rummell in the 400 hurdles (1:03.32), Sarah Howell in the 800 meters (2:17.15) and Chevonna Lynch in the shot put (43-0 ½).

Jenkins was also second in the 200 meters (25.36), finishing behind Alaska Anchorage`s Mary Pearce who won in a meet record 25.08. Pearce, the women`s Outstanding Performer, also won the 400 meters in a meet record and stadium record time of 55.65.

Lynch`s throw and Rummell`s 400 hurdle run were both personal bests for them. Sarah Barker also posted a season-best in the 400 hurdles at 1:03.80 to place third.

Jacque Postlewait finished second in the long jump for WOU (17-4), while Sabrina Freed also brought home a runner-up plaque in the hammer (153-3).

For the men, WOU had one individual winner in Lee Clarkson, who crossed the line first in the 400 meter hurdles in 55.11, a season best. The Wolves also had second-place finishes from Anthony Marin in the hammer (170-3), the 4 x 100 relay team (42.78) and Justin Kline in both the shot put (49-9) and the discus (151-9).

Kline was also fourth in the hammer (151-6) and Clarkson was third in the 100 hurdles (15.87).

Cresap Watson of Central Washington was named the men`s Outstanding Performer. He won the decathlon last week, and then won the 200 meters today. He also placed third in the high jump and was on two first-place relay squads.

Central Washington`s Kevin Adkisson was the men`s Coach of the Year, while Seattle Pacific`s Karl Lerum was the women`s Coach of the Year.

Western Oregon will wrap up the regular season next Friday evening (May 12) with a twilight meet.

Adding comments to these stories has been disabled. View the current sports stories Salem-News Sports