Harry Jerome, who ran for the University of Oregon, is honored every year with what is probably Canada’s finest Invitational and this year the meet once again offered outstanding competition. The event held at Swangard Stadium in the Vancouver, B.C. suburb of Burnaby also allowed a number of current athletes with Washington & Oregon connections to shine this weekend. Leading the way in the Javelin was former University of Oregon athlete , Rachel Yurkovich, who established her new personal best on the last throw of the event. Her mark of 60.40 earned her the Jerome title.
Canada’s Toyin Olupona won the 100 Meter Dash in a 11.55 clocking to edge Kerri Mitchell, who ran 11.58. The story within the story in this event, however, was the fourth place effort of young Hannah Cunliffe from Federal Way, Washington. Hannah is but a high school freshman, so her time and place are quite impressive. For Cunliffe, who had put in a high quality week, as she builds and prepares for the upcoming AAU National Championships, the time is a fine omen. That mark for the record would have won the state 4A title, as Holly DeHart of Kentwood won the 2011 championship with 11.97. Putting Cunliffe’s performance in better perspective is the fact that Chantal Jaeger, incidentally, won the 3A title with 12.25.
The women’s 1500 Meter title was claimed by Canada’s Malinda Elmore, who was timed in 4:07.86. The Pacific Northwest had two notable runners in the event as Kara Goucher of the Portland area placed seventh with 4:11.88. Kendra Schaaf, who ran for the University of Washington, finished 13th with a time of 4:22.14.
Andrew Ellerton of Canada won the 800 Meters with an impressive mark of 1;45.04. Cas Loxsom of the US earned second with 1:45.28. Nate Brannon, who broke the four minute barrier as a Canadian prep, secured the men’s 1500M with 3:36.75 to top Geoff martin son’s 3:37.56. Lemlen Ogasilassie garnered the 800 running 2:01.23, while Germany’s Katrin Klaas took the Hammer title with a fine 72.40 topping Sultana Frizzell.