Viking track teams open season at University of Washington

SEATTLE, Wash. – On a sunny afternoon at University of Washington’s Husky Stadium, hundreds of fans and athletes filled the grandstands for a track and field season-opener.

Touted as the No. 1 javelin thrower in the country, Josh Carlson proved his ability, clinching the men’s javelin title with a throw of 189-3. His throw edged out Washington’s Seth Jens, who threw 185-1. PSU’s Scott Rotrock, former state champion in the discuss, finished fourth with a throw 140-6.

In the long jump, PSU got a couple of key performances from Gerald Swanson and Jim Sattem who had jumps of 18-9.75 and 18-5 respectively.

During the men’s 1500-meter run, Dan McLean led the Vikings with an 11th place finish and final time of 4:01:91. The Vikings’ Brian Orth finished close behind in 13th place. PSU’s Andy Jacoby finished in 23rd place with a time of 4:22:65 and the Vikings’ Terry Hobson finished in 27th place with a time of 4:31:56.

Mike Duncan led the Vikings in the 100-meter dash, finishing in 16th place clocking a time of 11.57. PSU’s Marwan Granville and Mike Johnson finished 25th and 27th place with times of 12.20 and 12.48 respectively.

In the men’s 400-meter, former Gresham High standout Austin Pitchlynn was the only Viking in the race, finishing 13th.

PSU’s Jeremy Park dominated the field in the 5000-meter run and winning with a time of 14:30:92. His performance edged out University of Portland runners who finished in second and third place.

The top 800-meter runner, according to men’s coach Ken Woodard, is freshman Evan Garich, who won the 800 at the Oregon 4A State Championship.

On the women’s side, Jamie Breese got out to a solid start in the 1500 and ran to a third-place finish in 4:42:21.

“Number-wise were gonna end up with about 14-15 people like we did last year,” said women’s head coach Keith Woodard. “Lisa Gunderson is probably the top one. She went to Wilson High School (Oregon) and was the state champion in the high jump.”

In fact, Gunderson featured her talent and made her name known by winning in the high jump, clearing 5-5.

According to Keith Woodard, Wiyanna Kramer is one of PSU’s other top recruits. She finished in third place in the triple jump, clearing 34-8.5.

In the shot put, the Vikings’ Marcia Bomber and Mariah Farley were the top performers. Their throws were marked at 33-6.5 and 25-3.25 respectively.

Keith Woodard says that Toni Adair is another key addition to the track team. Adair, who went to Philomath High School, was the 3A Oregon State Champ in the 400 meters. She’ll be the anchor for the 4×400 meter relay team this year.

However, Adair finished in fifth place in the 400 in 59.86.

PSU’s Sharon Burnett got out to a solid start and ran right behind the Huskies in the 800, racing to an eighth-place finish.

“A lot of times the first lap determines how the race will go,” Burnett said of her start and time of 2:17.87.

Breese came back from the 1500 and finished the half mile race in 14th place with a time of 2:24:87.

Jill Salmon scored a 19th-place finish in the 3000 with a time of 10:40:66.

The women’s 4×100 meter relay team was runner-up, finishing in 50.03. The 4×400 relay team crossed the line right behind Western Washington for sixth place and a time of 4:10:25. In the 200-meter dash, the versatile Bomber finished in eighth-place with a time of 26.61. In the 100, Bomber came in 10th in 13.11, while PSU’s Keri Cain closed in 13th place with a time of 13:24. Stacey Storie finished the 100 in 16th place in a time of 13:82.

The Vikings will travel down to California on Saturday for the Sacramento State triangular meet.