March marked the start of the outdoor track and field season in Oregon, and athletes across the state delivered strong early performances. From tight distance races to emerging sprint groups and consistent marks in the field events, several athletes are already making their mark. Below, we highlight some of the top performances from March as the season begins to take shape.
Distance
Oregon's distance events are already showing strong depth early in the season. On the girls' side, Evangeline Johnson-Hess leads a tight 1500m group, with Cricket Phipps and Ella Henthorn close behind. Henthorn also returns in the 3000m, where three athletes are separated by just two seconds. On the boys' side, the 800m group is tightly packed, while freshman Ryder White and Leo Brown delivered standout 3000m performances, both breaking 8:40.
Girls
Evangeline Johnson-Hess, (South Eugene, 9th) | 1500m - 4:43.70 | The Opener (3/18)
Cricket Phipps, (North Eugene, 12th) | 1500m - 4:44.52 | The Opener (3/18)
Ella Henthorn, (Coquille, 10th) | 1500m - 4:45.70 | Siuslaw Icebreaker (3/19)
Ella Henthorn, (Coquille, 10th) | 3000m - 10:20.30 | Siuslaw Icebreaker (3/19)
Natalie Kupka, (Ashland, 10th) | 3000m - 10:20.82 | Crater Classic Twilight (3/19)
Alison Fajardo, (Franklin, 11th) | 3000m - 10:22.26 | PIL McDaniel @ Franklin (3/18)
Boys
Garrett Faught, (Crater, 10th) | 800m - 1:55.29 | Crater Classic Twilight (3/19)
Peter James, (Lincoln HS, 11th) | 800m - 1:55.73 | PIL - Roosevelt @ Lincoln (3/18)
Yosuke Shibata, (South Eugene, 11th) | 800m - 1:55.81 | The Opener (3/18)
Ryder White, (Crater, 9th) | 3200m - 8:37.59 | Crater Classic Twilight (3/19)
Leo Brown, (West Linn, 11th) | 3200m - 8:38.62 | Wilsonville, West Linn Ice Breaker (3/19)
Sprints
Oregon's sprint group features strong early marks across multiple events. Willa Stockton leads the girls with a solid 100m and 200m double, while Ally Burnett and Zadie Boyd both broke 60 seconds in the 400m in March. On the boys' side, Colin Smith shines in both the 100m and 200m, while John Thatcher leads the 400m.
Girls
Willa Stockton, (Grant, 12th) | 100m - 12.17 | PIL-Grant @ Jefferson (3/18)
Willa Stockton, (Grant, 12th) | 200m - 25.30 | PIL-Grant @ Jefferson (3/18)
Ally Burnett, (Sherwood, 11th) | 400m - 59.27 | Jim Barks Grizzly Bear Open (3/19)
Zadie Boyd, (Caldera, 10th) | 400m - 59.94 | Summit & Redmond HSs @ Caldera HS (3/1
Boys
Colin Smith, (Oregon City High School, 11th) | 100m - 10.66 | Clackamas, Nelson, PDX Chr. @ Oregon City (3/18)
Elijah Davidson, (Damascus Christian, 11th) | 110mH - 14.79 | Molalla Invitational (3/21)
Erob Roberts, (Churchill, 11th) | 300mH - 38.66 | The Opener (3/18)
Bronx Ely, (Grants Pass, 10th) | 300mH - 39.43 | The Rogue Valley Preview (3/18)
Colin Smith, (Oregon City High School, 11th) | 200m - 21.56 | Clackamas, Nelson, PDX Chr. @ Oregon City (3/18)
John Thatcher, (Pendleton, 12th) | 400m - 49.47 | 8th Annual Clay Lewis Invite (3/28)
Field
The field events are building consistency early, particularly in the jumps and throws. Rikaiya Griffin leads the long jump as a freshman, while three girls surpassed 37 feet in the triple jump in. On the boys' side, Kaleb Moore delivered a strong mark in the shot put, while Brogan Hedgepeth leads the discus. These early performances point to steady depth across events as the season progresses.
Girls
Rikaiya Griffin, (Caldera, 9th) | Long Jump - 19-2 | Summit & Redmond HSs @ Caldera HS (3/18)
Aidell Cadet, (Siuslaw, 11th) | Triple Jump - 37-5.5 | Siuslaw Icebreaker (3/19)
Kinsley Juliano, (Adrienne C. Nelson High School, 12th) | Triple Jump - 37-4.75 | Clackamas, Nelson, PDX Chr. @ Oregon City (3/18)
Paige Owens, (Lakeview, 12th) | Triple Jump - 37-1 | Basin Relays (3/19)
Boys
Kaleb Moore, (Junction City, 12th) | Shot Put - 58-0.75 | Inaugural Purple Track Icebreaker (3/18)
Brogan Hedgepeth, (La Grande, 11th) | Discus - 180-5 | 8th Annual Clay Lewis Invite (3/28)
