Oregon track and field received multiple strong performances from its athletes Friday, the first day of the Rod McCravy Invitational in Lexington, Kentucky.
The meet featured a loaded field, with five of the top 10 men’s teams and seven of the top 10 women’s teams participating.
The best showing for the Ducks was the men’s 5000, in which multiple Oregon runners saw success. Senior Eric Jenkins won the race with a time of 13:31.76; followed by senior Parker Stinson (second), senior Will Geoghegan (third) and junior Jeramy Elkaim (fifth). Jenkins final time was the third fastest in school history. Stinson, who crossed the line in 13:38.68, set a new personal record.
Following the success of the 5000, the Oregon men were able to win the distance medley relay as well. Anchored by star sophomore distance runner Edward Cheserek, the Ducks crossed the line in 9:32.61. Competing alongside Cheserek were teammates Gregorek, Marcus Chambers and Niki Franzmair.
Oregon started the meet strong with two top five finishers in the women’s long jump. Junior Jenna Prandini placed second (21-2.50) while sophomore teammate Jasmine Todd finished fourth (20-6.50). Prandini was in the lead going into the final attempt, until Kentucky’s Sha’Keela Saunders took it with an impressive jump of 21-5.25. Prandini passed on her final three attempts.
Duck senior Greg Skipper earned a fourth place finish in the men’s weight throw. Skipper launched it on his first attempt 67-1.50, a distance he was unable to best through the rest of his throws.
Oregon senior sprinter Arthur Delaney finished fourth in the men’s 200 with a final time of 21.42. Winning the race was USC’s Andre De Grasse who crossed the line with a time of 20.90.
The Oregon women’s distance medley relay, featuring Katie Porada, Christian Brennan, Annie Leblanc and Alli Cash, finished fourth in 11:12.12. Arkansas won the event in 11:02.80.
Rounding out the day one finishes for Oregon included senior Chancey Summers placing seventh in the women’s high jump (5-7.75), junior Bradley Laubacher placing 13^th in the men’s high jump (6-6.25) and freshman Nate Moore and senior Trevor Ferguson placing fifth and eighth, respectively, in the men’s long jump. Moore’s final distance was 24-3.50 feet, while Ferguson ended with a high of 23-4.75.
For a complete list of day one’s results, click here.
The Rod McCravy Invitational will conclude tomorrow, with women’s triple jump scheduled as the first event.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur