Oregon track and field opened the Razorback Invitational with several strong performances and three event wins after the first day of competition Friday afternoon in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The headliner was thrower Brittany Mann, who dominated the weight throw, launching it for a personal best of 68-7.25. That mark broke Britney Henry’s 2007 school record in the event, and gave Mann another Oregon record to go along with the one she already has in the shot put. The redshirt junior topped the filed by more than six feet and jumped to fifth in the NCAA so far this season.
The Duck men’s distance medley relay was able to pick up a win of its own after overcoming some early struggles. Blake Haney ran well on the 1200 meter leg, but Ben Thiel was tripped up on the 400 by a fallen runner near the exchange zone. Thiel was able to recover, passing the baton to Niki Franzmair who put Oregon in a position to win. That’s where star junior Edward Cheserek took over, handling the anchor duties for his team running the mile. He erased a 20 meter deficit before breaking the race with 800 meters remaining. Cheserek found himself alone as he crossed the finish line in 9:30.95 — recording an unofficial mile split of 3:55.70.
The women’s DMR — consisting of Annie Leblanc, Ashante Horsley, Raevyn Rogers and Alli Cash — took second after Oklahoma State won with a late surge. The Ducks crossed the line in 11:03.61.
All-American Greg Skipper had an impressive showing in the men’s weight throw, winning with a mark of 72-2.25. The redshirt senior had three throws go over 70 feet.
Redshirt sophomore transfer Travonn White made his debut in the long jump, taking fifth (24-11.75), while teammate Nate Moore placed seventh (24-3). For the women Jasmine Todd also finished seventh in the long jump (20-8).
Cole Walsh set an indoor personal record in the pole vault and finished fifth by clearing 17-1, Oklahoma transfer Hannah Cunliffe ran the sixth-fastest time in school history in the 200 (23.54) and Marcus Chambers just missed a personal record after finishing eighth in the men’s 200 (21.40).
The heptathletes opened the day, with Mitch Modin and Joe Delgado representing Oregon. They finished the first day seventh and ninth respectively.
Click here for a complete list of results.
The Invitational will continue Saturday, with the heptathlon set to commence at 9 a.m.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur