Eugene, Ore. - The recent rack meet hosted by the University of Oregon showcased an impressive array of athletic talent, with athletes from across the region converging to compete in various disciplines. Hosted amidst a backdrop of one of the best track & field venues in the country, the stage set the tone for the day.

1500m: The meet started Friday with the distance events competing on a wet track.  Freshman, Jake Beck and sophomore Timothy Bradshaw each completed the distance.  Beck finishing with a time of 4:05.28, while Bradshaw met the NWAC qualifying time with a finish of 4:10.51.  

Men's 100m Dash: J'Quan Collins led the charge with a swift 11.08 seconds, marking a personal best, navigating the track with precision despite a slight headwind of -0.8m/s. His performance in Heat 4 marked a standout moment in the redshirt sophomore's career, setting a high bar for future competitions.  Freshman, Chris Garnett, also competed in the event sprinting to a 24.27 mark, setting the tone for the season.

Women's 100m Dash: Mia Hicks-Oliver sprinted to the finish in the women's 100m, clocking in at 12.56 seconds securing her spot as the 9th fastest in Clark history. The time also met the NWAC qualifying mark, for the championship event in May. Mallory Davenport and Emily Peabody followed closely, showcasing formidable speed and determination as freshmen athletes.  Both Hicks-Oliver and Davenport finished among the top NWAC finishers at the race amid a wide range of NCAA athletes.

Women's 100m Hurdles: Sarah Money demonstrated her agility and technique in the hurdles, crossing the finish line in 15.62 seconds in Heat 2. Her poised performance under pressure highlighted her potential in this demanding discipline, setting a benchmark for her peers.  Mandy Richeson also finished the race clearing the finish line with a time of 18.81.  The two penguins were the only two NWAC athletes that competed in the event.

Men's 110m Hurdles: Jackson McQuain displayed prowess in the 110m hurdles, achieving a commendable time of 15.05 seconds in Heat 2. His sophomore status underscored his growing talent and dedication to mastering the hurdles.  He finished the race 5th overall, making his mark among a tough field of competitors.

Men's 400m Hurdles: Freshman Max Ensinger, ran a personal best 54.94 finishing 4th in the field.

Women's 400m Hurdles:  This race saw three penguins in the competition with Sophomore Lacie Westervelt finishing sixth overall with a time of 1:06.72.  Sarah Money captured and NWAC qualifying time, finishing with a 1:09.31 and finishing 11th overall.  Freshman Avery Ness also competed and finished 12th with a time of 1:12.71.

Relays: The relay events were a testament to teamwork and synchronization. The Men's 4x400m Relay team, comprising Koynn Williamdyke, Connor Olmstead, Ian Ebinger, and Max Ensinger, blazed to a remarkable finish in 3:23.77, securing a well-deserved fourth place. Meanwhile, the Women's 4x400m Relay team, led by Emily Peabody, Lacie Westervelt, Sydney Allen, and Mallory Davenport, showcased their endurance and coordination, clinching seventh place with a time of 4:06.86.

Field Events: In the field events, Hayden Day and Conner Olmstead excelled in the Men's High Jump, clearing heights of 1.85m and 1.80m respectively, demonstrating their athletic finesse and determination. Day's height qualified him for the NWAC championships in the event.  Mia Hicks-Oliver shined in the Women's Long Jump, leaping to a distance of 5.24m, showcasing her versatility and strength in multiple events.  That distance secured her a spot at the NWAC championships in May.

Conclusion: When asked about the event, Head Coach Owen Frasier stated, "It was an incredible opportunity to get to compete at one of the best track and field facilities in the world.  Hayward can be intimidating, and the competition was fierce, but shout out to our athletes who ran to the roar this weekend and embraced the challenge." 

The penguins finished with nine personal records, six NWAC standards and one Clark All-Time top-ten mark.  Click HERE for the complete meet results.

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