EOU Track & Field Records Historic Day at Whitworth Invitational

SPOKANE, Wash. – Eastern Oregon Track and Field wrapped up a weekend of competition with two historic performances on day two of the Whitworth Invitational. Records fell in the men’s shot put (Tanner Nett) and the men’s 4 x 400 meter relay (Bryson Spears, Mason Nichols, James Connally and Osman Osman). Both records earned “A” Standards and Eastern added two “B” standards on the day as well.

Eastern now shifts their attention to their second and final home meet, the EOU Last Chance Invite. The Mounties will host the meet on Saturday, February 17, in the EOU Field House.

WOMEN
In the 60-Meter Dash, sophomore Karina DeYoung showcased her ongoing improvement by setting a new personal record not once but twice during the day. DeYoung initially clocked in at 7.96 seconds in the qualifiers, surpassing her previous best. However, she didn’t stop there, pushing even further to achieve an impressive time of 7.87 seconds in the prelims. Her performance tied her for fourth place all-time alongside former soccer and track and field teammate Yahaira Chavarria-Mondragon.

Meanwhile, sophomore Elizabeth Grandle made her mark in the 60-Meter Hurdles, setting a new personal best with a time of 9.36 seconds. Grandle’s time also propelled her into a tie for fifth place all-time in the EOU record books. Additionally, sophomore Sydney Peck joined the ranks of the program’s top performers with a time of 9.55 seconds, securing the tenth spot in program history for the event.

MEN
Sophomore Bryson Spears broke the sub-7 barrier with a personal record time of 6.98 seconds during the qualifying round in the 60-meter dash. Spears’ performance not only marked a new personal best but also placed him third place all-time in the event for EOU men’s track and field.

In the 800-Meter Run, Hunter Nichols made a return to the track on Saturday after a historic run Friday, earning an NAIA “B” Standard with a stellar time of 1:54.44.

The highlight of the day came in the form of the 4×400 Meter Relay, where history was made by EOU’s relay team comprising Bryson Spears (50.45 seconds), Mason Nichols (49.23 seconds), James Connally (49.98), and Osman Osman (48.14). The quartet set a new school record and achieved an NAIA “A” Standard with an impressive time of 3:17.80.

In the shot put, junior Tanner Nett continued his dominant campaign by breaking his own record yet again. Nett’s throw of 55 feet, 10.5 inches not only surpassed his previous best but also earned him another NAIA “A” Standard.

High jumper Tyler Jones followed up on his stellar performance from the previous weekend with another impressive feat, clearing 2.03 meters to secure a “B” Standard mark on the day.