LA GRANDE, Ore. — Eastern Oregon University track and field wrapped up their regular season Saturday afternoon in the EOU Field House hosting the 2024 EOU Last Chance Invite. With one more opportunity to clinch a spot at the national championships in two weeks, several athletes made the most of the competition as Eastern finished the meet with 10 “A” Standard marks and times and 2 “B” Standards.
One record fell on the day as Kenna Woodward shattered her own record in the weight throw with a massive throw of 17.60 meters to wrap up the regular season.
Up next for EOU Track and Field are the 2024 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships held in Brookings, South Dakota. The championships are set to take place at South Dakota State’s indoor facility from February 29 through March 2. Check eousports.com for all future updates.
MEN
In track events, the men’s distance medley relay team put together a strong showing narrowly achieving an “A” standard, benefiting from a track size conversion.
Meanwhile, Osman Osman continued his streak by clinching another “A” standard in the 400-meter run, clocking in at 49.26 seconds after factoring in the undersized track conversion.
Justin Ash secured victory and an “A” standard in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 8:38.05, closely followed by Winston Telford, who attained an NAIA “B” standard.
Over in field events, Tanner Nett maintained his consistency, notching another “A” Standard qualification in the shot put with a best throw measuring 16.94 meters.
Mark Church made waves in the weight throw, setting a new personal best of 17.79 meters, securing victory, and climbing to fourth all-time in the EOU record book.
Tyler Jones rounded up the day with ease, clearing 2.06 meters in the high jump to secure yet another “A” standard.
WOMEN
The women’s team continued the impressive display. The 4×800-meter relay squad comprising Mattie Woodbury, Madelyn Nichols, Riley Morris, and Lauryn Mitchell put on a blazing performance, clocking an impressive time of 9:36.49, comfortably earning an NAIA “A” Standard and etching their names as the fourth fastest team in school history.
Lauryn Mitchell continued her strong indoor season in the 600-meter run, securing an “A” standard (with undersized track conversion) with a time of 1:37.61.
Karli Bedard stole the show in the pentathlon, amassing a new personal best score of 3,205 points, setting herself up for a potential NAIA National Championship qualification.
Elizabeth Grandle soared to a second-place finish in the high jump, earning a “B” Standard with a mark of 1.65 meters.
Kenna Woodward continues to rise up the leaderboards in the weight throw, this time breaking her own school record with a hurl of 17.60 meters, clinching another NAIA “A” Standard.
