Erin Jones, Jen Macias & Lauara Carlyle at OSU ground-breaking ceremony.  The dream of a track for OSU comes closer to fruition.

OSU Coach Kelly Sullivan at Ground-breaking Ceremony last June. Warm weather has aided the progress of OSU's new track.

Dior Hall & Trinity Wilson zipped through the 60 Meter Hurdles with national class times to lead Friday qualifying action.

Tabor Scholl (pic by Mike Roberts) Josh Whitener & Avana Story won the weight throw, while distance runners qualified for Saturday's finals.

Dallin Farnsworth, Kelsey Braithwaite, Hannah Cunliffe & Erik Harris are just four of the athletes, who will compete at the Simplot Games this weekend.

Anthony Armstrong pic by Colleen Collins Anthony Armstrong & Amy-Eloise Neale were two of the top prep runners, who competed in the Husky Classic last weekend, while Rachel Proteau of Corvallis was impressive in the High Jump. 

Jordan Hasay & MAtt Centrowitz  were honored as the top amateur athletes at the Oregon Sports Awards, while Ryan Crouser & Megan Fristoe topped the prep award winners.   Crouser had a dominating year in the weight events, while Fristoe won the Steve Prefontaine Award as the outstanding distance runner in the state with victories in both Cross Country & Track & Filed.

Kesselring broke Jordan HAsay's school record at the Husky Classic.

Laura Carlyle led the Beavers, as she broke the school record in the Mile.

Geoff Hollister is remembered for his contributions to the sport of running.

Collegiate athltetes ruled the 2012 US Junior XC Championships but a few preps proved that they could compete with their elders.

Rupp goes for record & Ritz drops out.

Darren Fahy (81) at Foot Locker  - pic by Colleen Collins   Darren Fahy & Grace Tinkey ledad the prep contingent at the US Junior NAtional race this weekend.

Geoff Hollister, one of the original members of Nike, passed away after a long battle with cancer.   The steeplechase runner, who was part of the "Men of Oregon (Kenny Morore 's book of note) was a graduate of Oregon & South Eugene High School.

Megan Fristo & Ashley Maton (pic by Dave Clark) The University of Oregon added two distance stars from Oregon - both from Summit High School.  Three-time Oregon 5A XC champion Megan Fristoe & Ashley Maton,  second at State will run next fall for the Ducks.  Joining them as well will be AbbeyLeonard, who is a four-time Maine Division A champion plus a three-time Foot Locker finalist.  Abbey placed fourth in the nation last December at Foot Locker.  

Ryan Crouser broke the shot put record at the University of Texas.

Track Town Tuesday meeting looks forward to the Olympic Trials but included updates on Jordan Hasay, Mac Fllet & Luke Puskedra among others.  

Dathan Ritzenhein, fourth in the US Olympics Trials Marathon, may opt to run in St. Louis next weekend in the U XC Championship. 

Amy Yoder Begley has moved to Eugene from the Portland area to run with the Oregon Track Club.

Jorda Hasay and Becca Friday led the University of Oregon Athletes at the Texas A & M Modo Challenge.  Both ran the mile and clocked 4:37 & change placing 1 - 2 in the evvent.  Both narrowly missed the NCAA qualifying time.  Trevor Dunbar competed for the first time as a Duck in the men's mile. 

Laura Carlyle set a new OSU record in the Mile with a time of 4:46, while Brandin Cooks ran 6.81 in the 60 Meter Dash establising another record.  They were in action with the team at the UW Invitational, which was held on campus at the Dempsey Center.

Maddie Meyers Maddie Meyers ran 10:02 in the 3K placing third  against her field of collegiate athletes and Tatum Taylor zipped 6.79 in the 60 Meter Dash.  Hannah Cunliffe also impressed in the 60 with her time of 7.61.  

Nathan Weitz at Foot Locker (pic by Colleen Collins) Northwest runners were honored by Gatorade as part of its selection of male athlete of the year for 2010.   Nathan Weitz of Shadle Park, who placed third in the nation at Foot Locker topped the list  for Washington, while Travis Neuman of Summit, the Oregon 5A champion, headed the Oregon guys.  Travis placed 7th in the Northwest Regional.   Dallin Farnsworth, a two-time Idaho State champion from Highland & an eleventh place Foot Locker National runner led the way in that state.  Miles Knotek of Seward won the 3A Alaskan championship.   Knotek & Neuman are juniors and will return next year.    Following is the company announcement for all four runners.

There were numerous ahtletes with Northwest ties in last weekends US Marathon Trials covered in the article,   For the men former Centennial runner Ryan Vail placed 11th in 2:12;43, Max King of Bend placed 19th - 2:14, Ryan Bak, also from Bend 23 - 2:15, Craig Leon of Eugene 26 - 2:15.42, Mikhail Sayenko of Bellevue 30 - 2:16.40 & Juan Carolos Trujillo of Idaho 58 - 2:20.    Kenyon Neuman, whose brother Travis is the current 5A XC champion from Summit, placed 72nd in 2:22.33, while former West Linn star Dan Browne finished 82nd in 2:42.  Browne represented he US in the 2004 Olympics in both the marathon and the 10K.     Women with local ties include Jeannette Faber of Portland, who was 21st in 2:36, Amanda Rice of Portland  50  - 2:41, Christina Overbeck of Portland 108 - 2:48, Mattie Suver of Washington 123 - 2:50.23, Wendy Terris of Milwaukie 126 - 2:51.36, Hallie Jansen of Portland 2:53, Rachel JAten of Spokane 136 - 2:53.46, Meghan Arbogast of Corvallis 143 - 2:58.53 & Liana Bernarde of Medford 147 - 3:01.14.   Former Olympians, who raced, include Deena Kaster (6 - 2:0.40, Magdalena Lewy Boulet (10 - 2:33.42), Jen Rhines 21 - 2:43.35 plus Katie McGregor, who has not been an Olympic athlete but has represented the US a number of times (11 - 2:34.01.

Meb with Oregon's Dan Browne at 2010 Foot Locker An interesting take on the US  Marathon Trials and  the sponsorship of the  male winner Meb Keflezighi.

It may have been snowing outside but it was warm inside at UW's Dempsey Center.      Tera Novy and Brittany Gappa led the way for Washington, while Kristen Coffman & Mary Kate McGwire impressed for Oregon on Saturday.  

Emily Nist  Katie Knight at Northwest Regional Allie Ostrander of  Alaska, Emily Nist of Idaho, Katie Knight of Washington and Sara Tsai of Oregon have been named as thier state's top harriers for the Fall 2011 Cross Country season.   They now share nominatins with young ladies from the other 50 States, as potential American Athlete of the Year, who Gatorade will name later.

Hood River girls at Concordia Adidas A new hormone, Irisiin, has been discovered, which appears to fight obesity & diabetes and is a by-product of exercise.   A new report by scientists at Harvard sheds new light on the benefit of exercise and its impact on the entire human system and not just muscle, heart and lungs.  

Jordan Hasay will lead Oregon at the 2012 Olympic Trials The city of Eugene turns 150 this year as it anticipates the US lympic Trials.  Looking forward also includes a tip of the hat to the past and Bill Bowerman.

Katie Knight leads the way at Border Clash (pic by Angela Collins) A number of Northwest runners have been nominated for the Inland Northwest Youth Awards, which will be anounced in mid-February.   Included on the list are:   Kinsey Gomez - the Coeur d' Alene runner, who now runs for Oregon State, won Idaho 5A titles in the 1600 & 3200 Katie Knight - the North Central star set a course record in winning the 3A XC championship in 17:10.6 and was third at Nike & now 4th at BUPA International. Baylee Mires - the Mead runner, who is now at the University of Washington, won the 4A 800 Meters in 2:10 & was  2nd in the 400M (57.44) Kenji Bierig - the Lewis & Clark star won 4A titles in the 3200M & 1600M. Nathan Weitz - the Shadle Park star earned his second trip to the presitgious Foot Locker meet, where he placed third in the nation.  He was 2nd in 3A XC. Others nominated include Anande Egland - 1A Pole Vault record of 11-06, Austin Pruit - 200M wheelchair winner in the International Paralympiscs, Jon Knight - coach five time North Central, which won its 5th straight 3A crown,.     One wonders how Andrew Gardner of Mead was left off the list after placing sixth in the nation at Foot Locker but that is another story.

Andrew Gardner, Nathan Weitz & Katie Knight before heading to Scotland Northwest runners Andrew Gardner & Katie Knight were two of the America 's best in Scotland on Saturday.

The University of Portland standout Trevor Dunbar transfers to Oregon. 

Nathan Weitz focuses on Jake Leingang & Tony Smoragiewicz on his way to third (picture by Colleen Collins) This year offered two fine racesto add to the over three decade tradition of the Foot Locker National Championships.  Northwest harrier fans had much to like as well with Nathan Weitz, Andrew Gardner & Dallin Farnsworth all placing in the top eleven.   For the girls Washington's Jordan McPhee and Idaho's Emily Nist  represented the region.

Andrew Gardner & NAthan Weitz at Hotel Del Coronado Nathan Weitz,  Andrew Gardner & Katie Knight were included on the list of US ahtletes, who will compete on the  US Junior Squad.   The meet, which will include European runners, is the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country race.  The race takes on added significance this coming year in only it's second edition, because there  will be no World Championship in 2012.    We have noted that this was a truly impressive year in Washington and the inclusion of three runners to the national team underscores the fact.   Nathan Weitz, who recently placed third in the Foot Locker National Championship, will be joined by Andrew Gardner, who placed sixth in that event, as a member of the Junior Men's Team.   Katie Knight, who blew away the Washington State meet record (17:11) in Pasco and then followed that performance with a third place effort at NXN, will be a member of the Junior Women's squad.   It's nice to see Katie finally receiving the national attention that she has deserved for some time. 

  The 2011 Foot Locker races offered two completely different styles of racing for fans to comtemplate but in the end the result was two high quality races  with very deserving champions.   Runners from the Northwest represented WA and ID well.

Jordan McPhee Nathan Weitz & Andrew Gar dner of Washington join Dallin Farnsworth as threats to claim a National title at Foot Locker.   Jordan McPhee o on Saturday in San Diego.f Washington  and Emily Nist of  Idaho will also represent the Northwest

The highlight reel for the Northwest last week includes NAthan Weitz, Dallin Farnsworth & Andrew Gardner in the Foot Locker West boys' race & Jordan McPhee & Emily Nist for FL girls.  Katie Knight  & Amy-Eloise Neale shined for the Northwest girls at NXN, while Izaic Yorks and Anthony Armstrong led the guys.

Karlie Garcia Washington runner  Jordan McPhee earned her first trip to sunny San Diego and the Foot Locker National finals.   Idaho State champion Emily Nist will join McPhee next weekend after joining Mary Lyons & Nicole Nielsen as the state's only female qualifiers in history..  

Darren Fahy wins West Washington's Nathan Weitz finished second & Andrew Gardner placed fourth, as they both earned return trips to San Diego for the Foot Locker National Championship.   Dallin Farnsworth of Idaho placed third and became the state's 7th male runner to qualify.

Maddie Meyers - 4-time Washington 1A champion & two-time Foot Locker runner Oregon & Washington will be well represented in the over three decade traddition of Foot Locker, as runners attempt to qualify for America's premier race. Maddie Meyers will attempt to be a three-time qualifier,while Nathan & Kendra Weitz attempt to duplicate thier feet as the only brother - sister combination to qualify in the same year.  Jordan McPhee will give Washington another fine chance at national representation.    Dallin Farnsworth & Emily Nist lead the Idaho contingent, while Travis Neuman & Kyle Thompson along with paul Adams will lead Oregon.

Futsum at Foot Locker in '10 by Colleen Collins Edward Cheserek and Futsum Zeinasellassie won their  regionals and will head to sunny San Diego.  Molly Seidel crused to victory in the Midwest and Abbey leonardi earned her third trip to Nationals behind front-running Angel Piccirillo of Pennsylvania, who qualified for the second time.  

The Border Clash victories of Anthony Armstrong & Katie Knight topped action in the region, while around the nation there were  three State meets as well as a few other meets of significance.

Sheila Reid of Villanova defended her NCAA Crosss Country title withstanding a final charge by Oregon's Jordan Hasay.   Georgetown claimed the team trophy over Washington.

:     Another victory for the Washington guys & gals.   Story will follow later.

Lauren Jimison pic by Angela Collins Kennedy Kithuka of Weyland Baptist & Obsie Birru of of Grand View won the men's & women's  individual titles at the NAIA Championships held  at Fort Vancouver.

The entire first row of girls from NXN NW will race at BC. On Sunday  cross country fans will have a great array of talent  compete at the 13th Oregon - Washington Border Clash.

Anthony Armstrong and Amy-Eloise Neale led the way in Boise at the NXN Northwest Regional.

Amy-Eloise Neale & Katie Knight went 1 - 2 in the girls' race and Anthony Armstrong & Izaic Yorks did the same in the boys' race.

Futsum Zeinasellassie is in at NXN, now to qualify at Foot Locker before beginning the quest to win both titles. (Photo by Paul Everett)

Lukas Verzbicas leaves the University of Oregon to pursue the triathlon.

Both Oregon & Washington had their state meets, so there was high-power action with, so many fine performances that I feel a bit guilty to single  just a few people out instead of others.   Maddie meyers, however, became the first Washington run to win championships all four years of high school, while Megan Fristoe claimed her third in Oregon.  Katie Knight won 3A with a stunning 17:11, while Amy-Eloise neale & Jordan McPhee also went  under the previous record.   Anthony Armstrong & Nathan Weitz with the aid of Izaic Yorks blistered the course with their times of 14:58 & 14:59 respectively, as Yorks also dipped under the record.  Jacob Smith ran 15:03 to go under Shane Moskowitz' old record, when he topped Andrew Gardner.   In Oregon, aside from Fristoe, paige Rice, Kyle Thompson & Travis Neauman all claimed  titles in the top two State divisions.

The Crater girls placed second & the boys finished third at State.

Central Linn senior, Joe Ewers,  wins state title and team Zach Holloway placed third.  

Salem runners fared well in the State meet.

Kennedy Gilrs Take Third at State

Morgan Anderson of Silverton placed sixth at State.

South Eugene won both the boys' and girls' titles at the State meet in Oregon.

photo of Travis Neuman and 5A boys compliments of Dave Clark   It was a great day for Summit and South Eugene.

A brief look at the top individuals and teams to watch in Eugene at the State Meet.

Dallin Farnsworth, Emily Hamlin, Elijah Armstrong & Emily Nist won Idaho State titles on Saturday.   Maddie Meyers, Nathan Weitz, Katie Knight, Andrew Gardner, Amy-Eloise Neale were but of a few of the stars in Washington, who raced their way to State in Washington.   Megan Fristoe, Travis Neuman, Paige Rice, Kyle Thompson, Claire DeVoe, David Leavy, Sara Tsai, Jon Obeso & Alisha Luna led the way to State in Oregon.

Colin Squires broke the 2004 record for 3000 Meters in the "District" race for Portland-area Middle School runners.

Dallin Farnsworth & Erik HArris at Simplot in February Action at the Idaho saw repeat victories by Dallin Farnsworth & Emily Nist.

Megan Fristoe & Ashley Maton photo by Dave Clark Megan Fristoe & Travis Neuman ran scintillating times and their led the Summit girls & guys to dominating victories in the District at Bend.

Hudson Eustace led Cascade Christian to State, while  the St. MAry's  girls won at District 6.

South Eugene both  team races at District with Sarah Tsai & Erin Clark leading the way. On the coast  Matthew Campbell & MItchell Butler led Siuslaw to a State berth.

Kristen Coffman of Tualatin & Tyler Shipley of Forest Grove won individual titles, while Forest Grove claimed both team  crowns.   The Tualatin boys & Newberg girls alos earned trips to Eugene.

Paige Rice  photo by Angela Collins Paige Rice & Kyle Thompson dominated their fields and ran very solid times, as they qualified for State.  TheSt. MAry's Academygirls & Central Catholic guys claimed  team titles.  Also earning team trips to State were the Gresham girls & the Barlow boys.

Jesuit team won both the girls' titles but Claire DeVoe of Lincoln stormed to victory in the individual race.   David Leavy of jesuit raced home in 15:33 to claim the boys'  crown.

Emily Weber of South Salem won her third straight  Central Valley Conference District, also known as Special District Six, on Wednesday & led her Saxon team to its sixth straight title.   Chris Musser of North Salem led the guys' race with 16:30, while West Salem annexed the team title.

Kelly O' Neill of Lakeridge and Andre Walker of Grant won individual titlles.   The Lakeridge & Lake Oswego boys' teams earned trips to State, while the Grant & Lakeridge girls will represent the league in Eugene.

Dr. Julia Chase-Brand was a  pioneer in women's running & is featured with a retrospective of her race in Manchester.

Crescent Valley hopes to keep their District streak alive.

Olivia Powell of Creswell

Emily Weber & South Salem Race at Districts on Wednesday

Amy-Eloise Neale led the action at the WESCO Conference, while Izaic Yorks impressed at SPSL.  In Idaho Dallin Farnworth, Erik Harris & Emily Nist led  harriers on to the State meet.  Mt SAC in California saw Darren Fahy & Sarah Baxter clock  strong times.

Injuries hamperThurston runners prior to Districts.

The Concordia Adidas Classic in Portland topped the bill this week in the Northwest, as runners from Alaska, Washington & California took on those form Oregon.  Sara Tsai & Travis Neuman led the way but there were also great races from Erin Clark & Megan Fristoe to name just a few.  Dallin Farnsworth scored twice in Idaho as numerous runners made their final preparations for state meets.   The Summit girls topped their 6A rivals from South Eugene in a major meeting of teams.

Sara Tsai & Travis Neuman scored impressive victories at Concordia & the freshman Miss from South Eugene did it in record time. 

The OSU Beavers with Erin Jones leading the way won the Mike Hodges Invitational on Friday at Clackamas Community College.

Jordan Hasay led the Oregon women at Wisconsin with a second place finish.

Many of the top runners from Alaska & Oregon will be in Portland on Saturday to compete in the Concoridia Adidas Classic at Fernill Park.   There will be additional teams from Washington & California to make the overall field arguably the strongest of the season in Oregon.  

Kyle Tompson blitzed the course on Wednesday in the second-fastest time ever on the Molalla River State park course.   Lia Newman of Lakeridge won the girls' race.

Anthony Armstrong & Jordan McPhee scored important victories at Richland.  Dallin Farnsworth placed third in California's Clovis Invitational & Amy-Eloise Neale broke herown record at Hole In the Wall to top the week's highlights.

Runners gear up for Districts at Crystal Lake

Anthony Armstrong of Kamiakin & Jordan McPhee of Mt. Rainier both broke course records in a race, which has a long tradition & history.

Loustaletat 2010 State Meet (Angela Collins photo) Zorg Loustalet of Henley ran 15:49 and Gracie Tostenson of Crater ran 19:31 to take the titles in Ashland's State of Jefferson meet.  The Crater boys & girls scored in the team division.

Travis Neuman and Megan Fristoe topped the Elite fields as the Summit teams enjoyed a fine day.   Alex Dillard & Alisha Luna scored in the two other  varisty races. 

5K girls leaders by Angela Collins Gracie Todd of Sheldon and Ryan Byrd of St. Helens won the 5K races in the Star City Classic.  Sarah Hastings and Daniel Stober, both from Crater, led the way in the two mile events.

The week saw Alaska crown its new state champions, while Sunfair & the Harrier Classic produced some dazzling times.  

Amy-Eloise Neale topped a strong field in Yakima and in so doing eclipsed Bellarmine's Brie Felnagle's course record.

Travis Neuman obliterated the course record with his time of 15:06, as Jackson Baker placed second.  The Summit girls dominated their race placing five runners in the top seven.  Megan Fristoe of the Storm led the way with 17:53.

Ideal tool for track & field coaches and athletes. Convert marks/times/pace. This is a nice, easy tool for any fan, coach, or athlete of cross country running, road racing, or track & field.

Paige Rice of St. Mary's Academy & Hunter McGuirk of Jesuit won the Mount Hood/Three Rivers League Cross-Over on Wednesday. 

Oregon freshman Lukas Verzbicas would love to race this week. The nation’s most heralded prep distance runner was pleading his case to UO coach Vin Lananna on Monday as the Ducks prepared for the Bill Dellinger Invitational at Springfield Country Club on Saturday. It’s the only home meet of the season for the UO cross country teams. Verzbicas, the reigning world junior triathlon champion who was born in Lithuania, went to high school in Orland Park, Ill., and arrived in Eugene as the marquee name in what could be an historic recruiting class, is eager to get rolling. “He’s dying to race this weekend,” Lananna said. “I just don’t know if it makes sense or not. We have to be very careful and conscientious on when we open up our guys. “Lukas is very motivated to do really well at the highest level. (via www.registerguard.com)

Amy-Eloise Neale, Dallin Farnsworth, Maddie Meyres, Jacob Smith led the way for the Northwest as they all scored agaist national class talent.

Jacob Smith of Wenathchee Jacob Smith set a blistering pace for a hot day challenging anyone to stay with him & won convincingly.   Dylan Blankenback from California & Korey Krotzer of Auburn Riverside took second & third.

Maddie Meyers led the way with yet another 18 minute clocking but she had an impressive & young cast of supporters.

Zack Holloway is featued

Maddie Meyers of The Northwest School &  Jacob Smith of Wenatchee head the girls' & boys' field at the Jim Danner elite races. 

Paige Rice and her St. Mary's team mates tuned up for their date in California in Saturday's Stanford Invitational with a Mt. Hood/Three Rivers League Cross-Over victory.   Nathan Meeker of Oregon City led the boys' runners.