SALEM, Ore. - Sarah Marken scored 4,470 points in the heptathlon at the NCAA Division III Last Chance meet hosted by Willamette University on Wednesday and Thursday, greatly improving her chances at qualifying for the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships. She led a contingent of seven Pirates who competed well at the meet in preparation for the championships.
Marken's score is nearly 350 points higher than her previous personal best of 4,122 she set last year. It is the highest score in the Northwest Conference this season. She scored nearly 2,000 points (1,935) on the second day when she set personal records in all three events. She long jumped 17-10.5, threw the javelin 119'-8", and ran the 800 in 2:33.34. Brandon Howell won the 800 meters in a time of 1:52.95, nearly three seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. But he did not quite improve his season best time and currently sits on the bubble of making the NCAA championships. Derrick Dewindt finished third in the hammer throw with a mark of 181'-0", which is only three inches off of his season best. He has a good shot at participating in the NCAA championships with his season best mark. Kristi Dickey ran a provisional qualifying time in the 5,000 (17:40.21), which is also her career best. Whether or not that time will allow her to compete at the national championships in the 5k, in addition to the 10k, remains to be seen. Her 10,000 time currently ranks 6th in the nation and will get into the meet. Jeff Grassley improved his personal best time in the steeplechase (9:47.86). Ben Spaun scored 5,603 points in his first-ever attempt at the decathlon. His score is less than 400 points away from a provisional NCAA qualifying mark. Angela Florence has already thrown a strong provisional qualifying mark in the javelin (138'-1") at the Duane Hartman Invitational in late April. The NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships will take place May 25-27 at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. |
