GRESHAM, OR- Clark College turned in one of its strongest all-around performances of the season on Monday and Tuesday at the NWAC Track and Field Championships, piling up event wins, personal bests, relay victories, and podium finishes across the competition.
The Penguins were led by a dominant showing from sophomore standout Koynn Williamdyke, who claimed two individual titles on the men's side. Williamdyke opened the meet with a victory in the 400 meters, clocking 48.82, before returning later to win the 400-meter hurdles in a personal-best 51.95. Williamdyke's 400 hurdle time was good for a school record and the second fastest time in the history of the NWAC championship meet. He also anchored Clark's winning 4x400 relay squad to a meet-best 3:16.61 alongside Max Ensinger, Jaeden Freitas, and Ian Ebinger. Their championship time was the fourth fastest in Clark history as well.
Clark's hurdle crew continued to shine as Max Ensinger finished runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.78 and added another personal best with a third-place finish in the 400 hurdles at 52.56. Ensinger's time was the second fastest in school history, trailing only Williamdyke's winning time in the same race. Poki'i Waiwaiole added points in the 110 hurdles with a fifth-place finish. Britney Ketels was the star of the women's hurdles after finishing on the podium in both the 100 and 400 hurdles.
In the sprints, Chris Garnett and Julian Johnson both reached the finals of the men's 100 meters, while the women's sprint group delivered one of the top performances of the day. Freshman Abby Mendoza sprinted to runner-up finishes in both the 100 meters (12.25 PB) and 200 meters (25.02), while sophomore Emily Peabody placed third in the 200 before storming to victory in the women's 400 meters with a personal-best 57.39. Peabody's time was second fastest all time at Clark, and Mendoza established a new school record in the 100 meters. Nico Field completed a Clark sweep atop the 400 meter event standings with a runner-up finish in 59.46 and added a third place finish in the 400 hurdles.
The women's relays were equally impressive. Clark's 4x100 relay team of Jaden Frazier, Abby Mendoza, Britney Ketels, and Emily Peabody raced to second place in 48.60, while the 4x400 squad of Peabody, Mallory Davenport, Mendoza, and Field captured the event title in 3:57.94. The 4x400 time was the fastest in over twenty years for the Penguins and fourth fastest all time in school history.
Clark also showcased depth in the distance events. Freshman Dekota Houfek delivered a breakthrough performance in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase, placing second with a personal-best 9:45.73. Mariposa Perez scored in the women's steeplechase as the eighth place finisher.
In the field events, Taeven Hill highlighted the jumps group with a personal-best 14.14m leap to place second in the triple jump, while Drayden Starke-Shaffer added a sixth-place finish with another PR.
The throws group added several key performances as Wyatt Galipeau placed fifth in the shot put, catapulted by the eighth best mark in Clark history and a personal-best of 14.30m. Nico Valdez earned top-eight finishes in both the discus and hammer throw, including a personal-best 45.93m in the hammer, good for tenth best all time at Clark. Luke Livengood added a podium level performance in the javelin.
Clark's women continued to contribute in the field and multi-events. Nora Herinckx cleared a personal-best 1.60m to place second in the high jump and Ella Lulich scored in the discus.
Both the men's and women's teams finished fourth overall, narrowly missing the podium and a team trophy. Still, all of the personal bests, school records, and individual champions leave the Penguins with so much to be proud of.
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