Qualifying in the Big Sky

The Portland State men and women’s outdoor track and field teamstook on the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, April 22,2004. The Drake Relays are often referred to as America’s AthleticClassic AKA the track and field extravaganza.

This year approximately 8,512 athletes will compete in eventsspread over April 22, 23 and 24. Portland State is one of 794 teamsfrom a pool of grade schools, middle schools, high schools,colleges and universities across 34 states to compete in the 95thrunning of the Drake Relays. Approximately 1,264 female runners and1,570 male runners will be college/university level.

Also competing will be 207 unattached athletes. Many of theseunattached competitors who will compete at the Drake Relays, comefrom across the globe to compete against top U.S. athletes. Upnext, the Vikings compete in the Oregon Invitational in Eugene,Oregon April 23 and 24, 2004.

Portland State freshman Jordan Senn was the first Vikingthis season to qualify for the NCAA Regionals. Senn threw 204’3.50″ in the javelin at the Mt. Hood Relays on Saturday April 10,2004. This throw exceeded the necessary mark (202’2″) for NCAARegional qualification.

Senn’s throw not only landed him a spot in the NCAA Regionals,but he also won the javelin event at the Mount Hood Relays.

NCAA Regionals will be held May 28 and will be hosted by CalState Northridge. Senn currently holds third place on the PortlandState outdoor all-time best list.

Portland State senior Lisa Gunderson was the second Viking toqualify for NCAA Regionals. Gunderson’s 5’8″ jump in the high jumpat the Mount Hood Relays landed her a qualifying spot.

The Portland State outdoor track and field teams competed in theMount SAC Relays April 16 and 17, 2004. Both teams competed againstseveral ranked schools, as well as with top individuals from aroundthe country and abroad. Mount SAC Relays are special on Olympicsyears because college level runners have the chance to competeagainst world-class athletes who will then go on to compete at theSummer Games in Athens.

Mount SAC Relays director, Scott Davis, has this slogan for therelays, “Where the World’s Greatest Athletes Compete.”

Freshman Audrey Oswald placed 14th in the hammer throwwith a mark of 167’1.” At the Stanford Invitational, Oswald posteda Big Sky Conference qualifying mark in hammer throw, with a throwof 168’7.”

Friday’s throw was not as swell a mark as Oswald’s previousmeet, however she was not far off her own best. The first placewinner of the hammer throw at the Mount SAC Relays was Cairia Haneof Nevada-Reno. Hane threw an outstanding 190’11.”

Junior Olivia Palmero placed 37th in the 400m. Palmero wasseeking a Big Sky Conference qualifying time of 58.00 in the400-meters; however, Palmero had a time of 59.75.