SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth University heads into this weekend's Northwest Conference Track and Field Championships aiming for the teams' strongest showings in several seasons. The meet, which will run Friday and Saturday at George Fox University's Colcord Field, will have competitive men's and women's team competitions and the Pirate hope to be in the thick of both chases.

Kintner is seeded first in two throwing events

Whitworth's men head into the meet with several athletes seeded first in an event. The Pirate throwers appear particularly strong, led by Jeff Kintner. Kintner is seeded first in both the shot put (52'-2.5") and hammer throw (170'-1"). Kory Kemp, an NCAA Division III All-American last season in the javelin, is seeded second in that event (190'-5"). Joey Vanhoomissen is seeded second in the hammer (168'-5") and fourth in the discus (140'-10").

Ben Spaun, fresh off of his second place finish at the NWC Decathlon last week, is the meet's top seed in both the 110 high hurdles (14.92) and the 400 hurdles (55.41). Cody Stelzer is seeded first in the high jump (6'-11") and also is seeded fifth in the triple jump and sixth in the long jump. Emmanuel Bofa is seeded first in the 800 (1:51.01) and third in the 400 (49.72). All three have already automatically qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships in May.

Nick Gallagher is the meet's top seed in the 10,000 meters (32:05.00) and is also running the 5,000 meters. Senior Brandon Howell, coming off of knee surgery, hopes to return to NCAA qualifying status in the 800.

Dormaier could score in as many as six events

Whitworth's women are in line to do well at the meet also. Kristen Dormaier has a chance to score in six different events, once all is done. She has already finished third in last week's NWC heptathlon and is seeded first in this weekend's triple jump (37'-0.25"). She is also seeded fourth in the long jump, seventh in the high jump and 11th in the 100 dash. She will also participate on at least one of the Pirates' relays.

Erica Cox will lead the group of Pirate women throwers. She is seeded second in the discus (122'-6") and third in the hammer throw (135'-6"). Freshman Elizabeth Mattila is highly seeded in both the 400 hurdles (2nd, 1:02.96) and 100 hurdles (15.41).

Willamette is the six-time defending champion on the women's side. Last season's runner-up George Fox, along with Whitworth, hope to challenge the Bearcats this year. The Linfield men are defending champions, but will be pushed by Willamette, Whitworth and George Fox.

Events begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday and continue throughout the day on Saturday.

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