Decisive Perfomances by Bearcats in Outdoor Opener

ROSEBURG, Ore. — The Women's Track and Field team delivered an excellent perfomance in the Umpqua Opener, hosted by Umpqua Community College, together securing top placements that would secure first place in the meet for the women's team.

Beginning with the 1500m, a trio of Bearcats secured places in the top six: Anastasiia Lemesh with a personal best of 4:53.24 minutes in third, followed by Elise Henderson and Rachel Hamasaki in fifth and sixth. After the 1500m came the 100m Hurdles, in which the Bearcats dominated second through sixth place. Senior Mashani Coleman Toliver took second, with Ella Thompson, Sage Miller, Lavender Bel, and Juniper Ammirati following. In the 100m, Whitley Stepp and Wendy Brannon placed third and fourth, both with personal bests. Senior Addie Gage also delivered a personal-best performance, securing eighth place.

A whole contingent of Bearcats proved to be stiff competition in the 800m, commanding second through seventh place with several personal and season bests. Anna Bikle led the group, followed by Henderson, Maya Willis, Hamasaki, Ammirati, and Leilani Luu in that strong perfomance.

In the final race of the day, the Willamette 4x400 Relay persisted against the three other teams and secured first place. Thompson delievered a strong opening perfomance, and Erica Snyder maintained the team's second-place position in the race. Bel pulled ahead for a moment, but still retained the team's close proximity to Umpqua, who was in the lead. Brannon stuck close to Umpqua, finally making a move coming off the final corner, securing first place for the team.

In field competition, freshman Rema Holmes took fourth place in Pole Vault. The high jump duo of Stepp and Snyder took first and second place in High Jump, respectively, successfully making more attempts than their competitors. In Long Jump, the women took fourth through sixth. Coleman earned fourth with a jump of 4.74 meters, followed by Janae Howard and Amanda McArthur, who both achieved season bests. 

Olivia Jacobson took first in Hammer, while Henri Osborne and Nanea Cobb-Adams followed in third and eighth. In Shot Put, the Bearcats once again took first place, Osborne earning it with a throw of 11.03 meters; Cobb-Adams secured fifth place for herself with a personal best of 9.36 meters. Jacobson narrowly lost first place in Discus, placing second, while Cobb-Adams once again secured a top five spot in fifth and Osborne reached seventh. In the final throws event of the day, Snyder took second place in Javelin and Thompson fifth, after a day of tough competition.

Next up for the Bearcats is the Erik Anderson Icebreaker (10k Only) on March 6th, followed by the Eldon and Chuck Throwdown on March 7th at home in Salem, Oregon.