Action packed day one at Oregon Relays
Christian Noble of Lee University runs 3:36.00 at Oregon Relays to break the DII collegiate record. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs
By Cassie Cole
The Oregon Relays have taken off at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. Day one of the meet featured middle school, high school, collegiate and professional athletes as well as broken meet records and personal bests.
Here are some of the highlights from day one.
Heavy Discus Competition
We start in the field with the men’s and women’s discus. Wisconsin freshman Jason Swarens took first place in the men’s discus with a throw of 48.92m (160-6). Teammate Andrew Stone came in second after a close final throw of 48.59 (159-5).
The Ducks took first, third and fifth place in the women’s discus, led by freshman Mine De Klerk. De Klerk fouled on three of her six throws but threw the winning distance of 53.27 (174-9) on her second attempt.
First Javelin Throws Break Meet Record
Australian national champion Cameron McEntyre took his javelin win thanks to his first attempt of 81.96m (268-10), a meet record for the Oregon Relays. Curtis Johnson broke the previous meet record as well with his own first throw of 81.73 (268-1).
Ducks Take a Run
Back on the track, Oregon freshman Ella Clayton broke the meet record in the 400m dash. Her winning time of 53.19 was followed by teammate Shaniya Hall with 54.38 second place finish.
Wisconsin Takes the Wins
Lawrence Johnson of Wisconsin won the men’s 100m dash with 10.52, followed by Oregon’s Pierce LaCoste, Kwabena Lynn and Max Vollmer. LaCoste ran a personal best of 10.69.
Wisconsin’s Lawrence Johnson takes the victory in the men’s 100m at the 2022 Oregon Relays, breaking the tape in 10.52. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs
It was a good day for the Wisconsin Badgers, who also came in first for the women’s 100m dash and the men’s and women’s 400m hurdles.
Freshmen Ducks Lead the 1500m
The Ducks went 1-2 in the open men’s 1500m, led by freshmen Thomas Palfrey and Matthew Erickson. Palfrey ran 3:45.25 and Erickson ran 3:47.66.
Thornton-Bott Runs PR
Oregon Track Club’s Angel Piccirillo won the 1500m Invite after moving into the lead in the final lap. Her winning time of 4:13.45 was closely followed by Oregon’s Izzy Thornton-Bott, who came in second. Thornton-Bott ran a personal best of 4:13.75, nearly three seconds faster than her previous best.
A Noble End to the 1500m Record
The top three finishers in the men’s 1500m Invite broke the Oregon Relays meet record on day one. Christian Noble of Lee University ran 3:36.00, a Division II collegiate record. Oregon’s Reed Brown came in second with a lifetime best 3:36.44 and Wisconsin’s Adam Spencer finished third with 3:37.40.
Close Steeplechase Race Gives OSU a New Record
Oregon Duck and Olympian Aneta Konieczek ran her way to first place in the women’s 3000m steeplechase. The race came close in the last 100m, when Oregon State’s Grace Fetherstonhaugh nearly passed Konieczek for first. The two came in at a narrow 9:44.72 and 9:44.76. Fetherstonhaugh’s time is a new OSU school record.
A photo finish in the women’s invitational 3000m steeplechase at Oregon Relays. Oregon’s Aneta Konieczek holds off Oregon State’s Grace Fetherstonhaugh, taking the victory in 9:44.72. Photo by Logan Hanningan-Downs
Ferlic Flies Fast
Another Olympian won in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, this time by Mason Ferlic. The Adidas Very Nice Track Club athlete broke the meet record—as did the next seven runners. Ferlic’s winning time was 8:23.92 and is currently the third fastest time in the world for 2022.
Hacker Takes 5k to New Heights
The women’s and men’s 5000m races rounded out the first night of the Oregon Relays. Oregon sophomore Alessia Zarbo secured a first place win with 15:58.07, followed by Badger Shea Ruhly at 16:01.12 and Maor Tiyouri of Israel at 16:05.91.
Wisconsin ended their day with another first place finish. Senior Olin Hacker not only broke the meet record with his 13:19.34 time—he also took 16 seconds off his previous best. This places Hacker third in the NCAA.
The top five finishers in Hacker’s race broke the meet record. Tom Anderson ran his own personal best of 13:28.07 to come in second and Oregon’s Aaron Bienenfeld finished third with 13:28.13.
Preview for Day 2
Day two of the Oregon Relays is Saturday, April 23. Field events start with girls’ javelin at 10 a.m. and events on the track start at 11 a.m. with boys’ 800m open. With event finals and a world record attempt later in the day, day two promises for an exciting conclusion to a record-breaking meet.