Eagles Brave Weather at Mt. Hood Open

3/16/2009 11:13:53 AM

GRESHAM, Ore. - Northwest University  may have been on spring break but the weather in Gresham was still showing signs of winter on Saturday as the Eagles took part in the Mt. Hood CC Saints Open.

Stated head coach Preston Brashers, "The cold, wet and windy conditions were a factor in most of the events, so on a day like Saturday you just tell the athletes to compete hard and go for the best placing possible. Everyone was facing the same conditions, and so it can't be used as an excuse for placing poorly."

Eagle distance runners were the bright spot for NU as junior Tyler Hart won the 3,000 meter steeplechase with his time of 10:06.44. Freshman Seth Bridges took second in the men's 1500m run with his finishing time of 4:09.41.

"The distances shined today," commented coach Brashers. "Tyler picked up a win in his first steeplechase of the season, and was never really challenged. There are a few things he can work on, but he's not far off from establishing himself as one of the guys to beat in our conference in that event." Brashers continued, "We had Seth racing at a bit shorter distance than is his specialty, and he responded well by finishing second in the 1500. He didn't have the finishing kick to pick up the win today, but the more work he does in that event, the better he will do in tactical 5k's later this season."

On the women's side, freshman Lindsey Wagner took third place in the 1500 meter run with her time of 5:08.32.

"Lindsey, whose basketball season just ended, was running her first race of the 2009 track season," stated coach Brashers. "In spite of that, she was able to come out and finish third in the 1500. I think we can build off of this start and her great cross country season to put something pretty special together this year."

Senior Katie Campbell had a busy day taking third in the javelin throw with her toss of 36.22m (118-10) soon after helping the women's 4 X 400m relay team take third place, along with teammates Shayna Prause, Lindsey Wagner and Paige DeLapp (4:32.37). Prause also competed in the javelin and took 5^th place with a distance of 35.63m.

"Katie showed her versatility as an athlete today. Coming off of a strong leg in the 4x400 relay, she had to run over to the javelin and was able to get in a very impressive throw with an abbreviated warm up. It should serve as good preparation for the heptathlon."

Here are the other Eagle participants and their results:

Women:

• Discus: Jessica Kneip, 6^th, 31.28m; Cadie Kneip, 7^th, 30.91m
• Hammer Throw: Jessica Kneip, 6^th, 33.43m; Cadie Kneip, 10^th, 30.21m
• Shot Put: Jessica Kneip, 4^th, 35.05m; Katie Campbell, 10^th, 29.01.75; Shayna Prause, 11^th, 29.00.5
• 100m Dash: Chelsea Miller, 5^th, 13.31
• 200m Dash: Chelsea Miller, 8^th, 27.99
• 400m: Paige DeLapp, 7^th, 1:04.90

Men:

• Javelin: Tyler Petty, 16^th, 37.13m; Doug Hein, 18^th, 29.46m
• Discus: Doug Hein, 15^th, 24.16m
• Hammer Throw: Tyler Petty, 10^th, 26.45m; Doug Hein, 13^th, 18.07m
• 110m Hurdles: Jason Waltman, 4^th, 16.82
• 200m Dash: Greg Peters, 15^th, 24.92; Jason Waltman, 18^th, 25.50
• 400m: Jimmy Reed, 11^th, 53.86

Next up for the Eagle track and field team will be the Club Northwest Spring Break Open in Shoreline on March 28.