Scoring points in events ranging from the javelin to hurdles, the long jump to steeplechase, the HSU men totaled 117 points to move up to fourth from last year's sixth place finish. Nick Bawden added an individual title in the javelin to Jasper Peach's 10,000 championship race on Friday, heading up a group of 16 different athletes scoring points for HSU.
On the women's side, Megan Rolland took home first place in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, Audrey Oswald won the hammer, and Jodi Symonds took the javelin title to help the Jacks score 72 points. That total pushed them way up from their eighth place finish in 2007 and was an improvement of 44 points.
"This was a meet all about the team and our seniors led the way," HSU head coach Sandy Moran said. "I am really proud of how these guys and gals finished out their careers in a classy, strong, team-oriented way. They have left the foundation of a championship track & field program."
Among the seniors, Oswald was again most impressive, throwing the hammer 182 feet, 6 inches to win her specialty. She was supported by Beth Kreiger, who took second with a 166-10, and Johanna Bailey, who was sixth with a 144-5 toss.
A sophomore, Rolland timed 11 minutes, 14.55 seconds in claiming the steeplechase and improving her own school record, and Jodi Symonds was another winner for HSU, taking the javelin with a throw of 141-5 that earned her a provisional NCAA qualifier. Another strong event for HSU, the javelin also saw Lumberjacks Helena Silva and Tori McCombs score points, in fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Brittany Peterson showcased the Jacks' spread of talent across all events with a third place finish in the pole vault, where she cleared 11-10. Melissa Murillo took sixth in the triple jump, leaping 35-10.5.
For the men, Bawden's throw of 203-2 was an easy winner in the javelin, but Peach was perhaps most impressive by excelling the tough 10K-5K double. After winning the longer event Friday, he came back to place second in the 5K with a time of 15:10.13 on Saturday.
Another senior making his mark in three separate events was Mike Okenwa, who followed up Friday's third-place long jump finish with a third in the triple jump (44-6) and fourth in the high jump (6-6) on Saturday. Jesus Solis raced to a second-place finish in the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase in 9:42.26, Jason Lewis also adding points with a sixth-place finish.
In the men's 800 meters, senior Andrew Wright was a strong fourth in a personal best time of 1:54.87. More middle distance success came from Eric Malain and Eric Tibbetts in the 1,500 meters, the pair placing fifth and sixth with respective times of 4:01.39 and 4:02.68.
Tim Bishop took fourth in the 400 meter hurdles (56.97) and Kyle Sherry earned the same position in the hammer (153-7), ahead of teammate Brad Wright, sixth with a throw of 147.4.
Finally, Mike Streck-Woodard and Brent Smith were two strong surprises for the Jacks in the sprints. Streck-Woodard scored points with an eighth-place finish in the 100 meters, clocking 11.57, while Smith took sixth in the 400 (50.18) and seventh in the 200 (22.36).
"We scored in every event this weekend except for two," HSU head coach Sandy Moran said. "We consistently placed higher than we were supposed to, and surprised a lot of people."
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