Thomas Makes Splash In Steeplechase On First Day Of Twilight
Day 1 ResultsFOREST GROVE – A third place and a big personal best for Ben Thomas (Fr., Tualatin, Ore.) in the men's steeplechase led Pacific efforts on the first day of their own Pacific Twilight meet, Friday at Lincoln Park Stadium.
Thomas cut 17 seconds off of his time from last week's Northwest Conference Championships, finishing in 10:11.12. The performance moves Thomas to No. 7 on Pacific's all-time list.
The freshman led a trio of top-five finishes in the opening day of the meet for the Boxers. Travis George (Sr., Grants Pass, Ore.) placed fifth in the men's hammer throw with a mark of 168 feet, 5 inches. Lisa Martin (So., Gresham, Ore.) placed fifth in the women's 5,000 meters with a time of 18:39.00.
Jeremy Parkinson (So., Hubbard, Ore.) finished 10th in the men's triple jump with a mark of 41 feet, 8 inches, while Mackenzie Huddleston (So., Milwaukie, Ore.) placed 10th in the women's javelin with her throw of 116 feet, 5 inches.
Eric England of Treasure Valley CC led the individual event winners on the opening day of competition. His mark of 51 feet, 4.25 inches was a new stadium record and stands as the fifth best mark in the junior college ranks this season.
Other men's event winners included Northwest Christian's Nick Lopez in the 1,500 meters (3:58.27), Southern Oregon's Jared Hixon in the 5,000 meters (15:02.36), Whitman's Alex Waheed in the 10,000 meters (33:46.38), Eastern Oregon's Lucas Updike in the steeplechase (9:17.57), Spokane CC's Sam Hilmes in the javelin (192-5) and Eastern Oregon's Brian Wickham in the hammer (182-7).
Women's event winners included Anna Connor of the Bowerman Track Club in the 1,500 meters (4:33.73), Portland Running Company's Amber Rozchicha in the 5,000 meters (17:34.41), Southern Oregon's Alexandra Rudd in the 10,000 meters (49:09.90), Linfield's Katie Skinner in the steeplechase (11:52.04), Clackamas CC's Jordan Searle in the triple jump (38-4.25), Corban's Jenny Harman in the javelin (133-3) and Mt. Hood CC's McKenzie Warren in the women's hammer (165-4).
Competition for day two of the Pacific Twilight begins with field events at 10 a.m. Running events will commence at 10:30 a.m.
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