LA GRANDE, Ore. -- Competing in very nice conditions for March, the fifth annual EOU Blue and Gold Mini Meet produced some very good early season marks.
The relays produced some strong marks for Eastern Oregon Friday. The women’s 4x100-meter team ran the fourth best time in school history at 49.60. Kimmy Moore, Melisa Abesa, Orie Gamez, and Maddison Stapleton teamed up for the first time and won by a wide margin over Treasure Valley Community College.
The men’s 4x800-meter relay team of Ryan Booth, Andrew Perri, Carlos Quintana, and Brian Bragg, ran an NAIA Provisional qualifying time of 7:50.57.
Other highlights on the track included Moore running a very good double to win both the 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles. Gamez came away with the 100-meter title. Abesa ran herself onto the EOU all-time list in the 400-meter hurdles at number 10 with a time of 68.92. It was the junior’s first attempt at the hurdles.
Kody Koxen took control of the men’s 1500 meter race after one lap to run away with the win and a new personal record time of 4:06.93.
By far the most impressive performance of the day was the men’s hammer throw. Three of assistant coach Dirk Bortz’s throwers tossed their way to NAIA Auto qualifying marks. Chris Dilley led the way with a throw of 197 feet and 3 inches.
Dilley was followed by Mitch Wheelhouse’s 174 feet and 10 inches, and Andy Munsey’s 173 feet and 9 inches. Dilley came back later to hit an NAIA Auto mark in the discus as well at 159 feet and 9 inches.
The Mountaineers will send a smaller group of about 30 athletes to California for several meets on March 26 and 27. Dilley and Munsey will throw the hammer at the Stanford Invite on the 27th. Dilley will also throw the Discus on the 26th at Stanford. They will be joined by a trio of 800 meter runners, Booth, Perri and Alma Garcilazo. Moore will compete in the 400-meter hurdles, and Andrew Wise in the 400-meter open.
A number of other EOU athletes will compete at either the San Francisco State Invite or the Chabot Community College Relays.