Higley and Townsend Compete at GFU Final Qualifier

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

NEWBERG, Ore. -- Willamette University track and field athletes Tyler Higley (Sr., Aloha, OR/Aloha HS) and Meka Townsend (Jr., Okanogan, WA/Okanogan HS) competed at the GFU NCAA Final Qualifier on Thursday, May 14 at Stoffer Family Stadium. Higley participated in the men's shot put and Townsend was entered in the women's javelin throw.

Higley's top shot put of the day was his second throw, which covered 48' 11.50". His career best is 50' 6" set last weekend at the Linfield Open.

Townsend recorded a top distance of 124' 0" in the javelin on Thursday. It was her first throw of the prelims. Townsend has a top throw this season of 133' 6" at the 2015 NWC Championships and a personal record of 138' 8" at the 2014 NWC Championships.

Up next for Willamette is the Gregory Invitational at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, on Friday, May 15. Four Bearcat runners will compete during the meet.

Daniel Swanson (Sr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) will participate in the men's 1,500-meter run. Olivia Mancl (So./Fr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) and Hannah Swanson (Fr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) are set for the women's 1,500-meter run, and Hannah Bressler (Jr., Oak Harbor, WA/Oak Harbor HS) will be involved in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase.