Oregon opened its indoor track season successfully Saturday at the University of Washington’s Indoor Preview, compiling five event victories, including three from relay teams. Keshia Baker and Jordan Stray provided the two individual wins.
Baker won the women’s 300-meter dash in 38.34, the first of four Ducks in the top six. She was followed by Kavina Hall (4th), Leah Worthen (5th) and Jamesha Youngblood (6th). The Ducks entered three 4x400m relay teams, sweeping the top three places.
Other high-placing Ducks included Megan Maloney in the weight throw, whose throw of 56 feet 3/4 inches was good for second place. The toss also landed her in fifth place on the Ducks’ all-time list. Jasmine Kelly tied for second in the high jump, clearing 5-6. Freshman Mandy White was third in the 60-meter dash, with a school-record 7.80. Nicole Blood (4:42.74) and Alex Kosinski (4:42.79) were third and fourth in the mile, respectively, placing them fourth and fifth all-time on the school’s indoor lists.
On the men’s side, Stray won the weight throw with a toss of 56-9 1/4, while teammates Steven Johnson (54-8) and Scott Penny (52-5 1/4) were third and fourth, respectively. The Ducks swept the two relay races, claiming the top two places in the 4x400m and the top spot in the distance medley.
Phil Alexander finished second in the 300-meter dash, crossing the line in 33.42. Ashton Eaton (3rd), Marcus Dillon (5th), Chad Barlow (6th) and Jared Huske (7th) all finished in the top seven as well.
Eaton (3rd, 8.10) and Huske (5th, 8.17) were also top-five placers in the 60-meter hurdles.
Penny added a second fourth-place finish in the shot put, tossing it 46-11.
Freshman Vernell Warren cleared 6-7 to finish fifth in the high jump, while A.J. O’Connell (6-5) tied for sixth.
The Ducks will compete next in the UW Invitational Feb. 1-2 in Seattle.
[email protected]