Meets records fall on day two of Oregon Relays
Mia Brahe-Pedersen from Lake Oswego sets the meet record in the girls 100m and 200m, and anchors her team to victory in the 4x100m relay at the 2022 Oregon Relays. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs
By Joe Zochert
The Oregon Relays ended Saturday night at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. The meet was full of highlights as it had athletes from middle school, high school, college and the pros converge on Track Town U.S.A.
Oregon Relays was a great showing of the talent at every level as a combined 31 new Oregon Relays’ meet records were set on both days. Day two of the Relays featured fantastic field events and a great day of relays that included a world best attempt in the 4xMile.
Here are some of the highlights from the final day.
High School
6A OSAA State Championship Rematch
The Hayward crowd was given a treat in the 800m. In a state championship rematch, Jesuit’s Chloe Foerster beat out Summit’s Magdalene Williams with a 2:05.8. Williams finished 2nd in 2:08.51.
With Foerster nationally ranked No. 3 in the 800m, she noted the pressure that Williams brought in the race on Saturday.
“She caught up around 500m and you could hear her behind you,” Foerster said about the race. “I think that really helps push me a little more.”
Distance Medley Relay Madness
The DMRs were a sight to behold as teams delivered some of the nation’s fastest times of the year.
On the boys side, Clovis High School narrowly edged out Tualatin High School at the finish line with a 10:03.43. Clovis is now ranked No. 2 in the nation in the DMR. The field was deep with talent as the top six teams in the race are now all ranked among the top 10 in the country.
For the girls, Mira Costa beat out Buchanan running U.S. No.1 11:43.8. Buchanan placed 2nd with a mark of 11:45.05 and is ranked No. 2 in the nation in the DMR.
Lake Oswego Sophomore dominates sprints
Mia Brahe-Pedersen from Lake Oswego stole the show at Oregon Relays, helping her team win the 4x100m relay and setting meet records in both the 100m and 200m. On Saturday, the sophomore ran a personal best 11.34 in the 100m.
Despite being nationally ranked #3 in both the the 100m and 200m, Brahe-Pedersen believes she can still improve this season
“I know if I keep on pushing and pushing, I’m actually going to get those goals that I set for myself,” Brahe-Pedersen said.
College/Pro
Wisconsin’s Schaefer beats Oregon duo
Wisconsin’s Josie Schaefer won the women’s shot put on her very first throw of the competition, throwing 17.01m (55-9.75). The junior set the Oregon Relays record, beating out Oregon’s Jaida Ross, who threw 16.88 (55-4.5). Mine De Klerk, Ross’ teammate, placed third with a throw of 16.57 (54-5).
Schaefer had a fantastic showing at the Oregon Relays this weekend, placing 2nd in the women’s discus with a 53.34 (174-8).
Duel in Hurdles
The women’s 100m hurdles had Saskatoon’s Michelle Harrison set a new Oregon Relays record with a mark of 13.17. Harrison beat out the 2nd place finisher, Wisconsin’s Destiney Huven, who ran a 13.30.
Katzberg Dominates
In the men’s hammer throw, Ethan Katzberg won on his third throw of the night with 74.16m (243’3”). It was a meet record as he beat the previous Oregon Relays record which was set by Rudy Winkler in 2015.
Katzberg won by a comfortable margin as he beat 2nd place finisher Mason Strunk from Oregon by over 10m.
Attempt at World’s Best 4x Mile
The Oregon Relays were highlighted by University of Oregon graduates Matt Wisner, James West, Cole Hocker and Cooper Teare. The former Ducks took a run at the world’s best 4xMile time of 15:49.08.
However, the quartet of Ducks came up just short, breaking the tape in 15:52.05.
Despite not getting the world’s best time, they are now second all time in the record books and they came away with a positive experience.
“This is one of those things that wasn’t a big deal. It was a last minute thing,” said Teare about the world best attempt. “To get a crack at it and be number two all time is pretty cool.”
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