Track & Field Athletes of the Week

April 17

Women’s Track Athlete of the Week: Brooke Barker (Pacific, Jr., Eugene, Ore. - Sheldon HS) defended her title in the NWC Heptathlon with a score of 4,418, defeating her nearest competitor by more than 500 points. She established a new DIII best in the javelin with a throw of 153’-10” (surpassing teammate DeeDee Arnall).
Honorable Mention: Jordyn Smith (Willamette, So., 800/400h).

Men’s Track Athlete of the Week: Nick Symmonds (Willamette, Sr., Boise, Idaho - Bishop Kelly HS) won the Open Division 800 at the Mt. Sac Relays in California with a new DIII leading time of 1:48.97. He defeated the defending DII champion and several DI competitors in the race.
Honorable Mention: Seth Harris (George Fox, Jr., Decath.).

Women’s Field Athlete of the Week: Joni Claypool (Linfield, Sr., Stayton, Ore. - Stayton HS) won the shot put (43’-0”), finished second in the discus (122’-0”) and third in the hammer (120’-0”) at the Linfield Four-Way meet.
Honorable Mention: Lindsey Blankenship (George Fox, Jr., throws); Roseanne Kassebuam (Willamette, Sr., heptath.).

Men’s Field Athlete of the Week: Jake Kleffner (Linfield, Jr., Tigard, Ore. - Jesuit HS) finished second in the hammer (145’-0”) to qualify for this week’s NWC meet. Also finished fourth in the discus (127’-11”).
Honorable Mention: Josh Priester (George Fox., Sr., Decathlon); Grant Piros (Willamette, Fr., Decathlon).

April 10

Men’s Track Athlete of the Week: Pete Van Sant (UPS, So., Santa Cruz, Calif. - Santa Cruz HS) provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 100 dash (10.82) and won the 200 dash (22.21) at the UPS Shotwell Invitational. He also won the long jump in an NWC best 22’-8.5”.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Howell (Whitworth, So., 800); Lucas Nebert (Willamette, So.); Brad Bates (George Fox, Sr.).

Women’s Track Athlete of the Week: Rachel Giffey-Brohaugh (George Fox, So., Renton, Wash. - Christian Faith HS) won the 800 at the Willamette Open in an NWC-best time of 2:18.55 and also was part of the winning 4x400 relay (4:03.77).
Honorable Mention: Sarah Smith (Pacific, So., Steeplechase); Andrea May (Willamette, Jr., hurdles); Kristen Davignon (PLU, Sr. Steeplechase).

Men’s Field Athlete of the Week: Michael Johnson (PLU, Sr., Lake Stevens, Wash. - Lake Stevens HS) won the shot put (47’-3”) and discus (136’-3”) at the Shotwell Invite. He was also fourth in the hammer (161’-1”).
Honorable Mention: Wes Randall (Willamette, Jr., long jump).

Women’s Field Athlete of the Week: DeeDee Arnall (Pacific, Sr., Warrenton, Ore. - Warrenton HS) threw the javelin 152’-11” to win the “B” section at the Texas Relays, defeating a field of NCAA Division I throwers. It is the best throw in Division III so far this season.
Honorable Mention: Kate Ross (L&C, Sr., jumps); Jenna Robinson (UPS, Sr., jumps); Melinda Fahey (Willamette, So., throws);
Victoria Black (George Fox, Jr., pole vault); Angela Florence (Whitworth, Jr., javelin).

April 3

Women’s Track Athlete of the Week: Carla McHattie (L&C, Sr., St. Paul, Minn. - Central HS) won the 800 run (2:22.54) and 400 dash (1:00.48) at the L&C Invitational, leading the Pioneer women to the team title.
Honorable Mention: Shana Shosky (Pacific, Jr., 1,500/800); Ashley Jamieson (PLU, Sr., 10k).

Men’s Track Athlete of the Week: Pete Van Sant (UPS, So., Santa Cruz, Calif. - Santa Cruz HS) won the 200 dash in an NWC best 21.90 at the Whitworth Invitational and anchored the winning 4x100 relay (42.76). He also won the long jump in an NWC best 22’-4.25”.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Carpenter (Linfield, So., decathlon); Brandon Howell (Whitworth, So., 800); Jarrod McCann (L&C, Jr., 800).

Women’s Field Athlete of the Week: Brooke Barker (Pacific, Jr., Eugene, Ore. - Sheldon HS) finished second in the Linfield Heptathlon, but earned a strong NCAA provisional qualifying score of 4,444 that currently leads Division III. She established season-bests in six of the seven events, including the javelin in which she earned another NCAA provisional mark (133’-2”).
Honorable Mention: Danielle Bielenberg (Linfield, Sr., throws); Kelli Christianson (Whitworth, Fr., javelin); Kate Ross (L&C, Sr., jumps).

Men’s Field Athlete of the Week: Zeb Udell (George Fox, Fr., Dallas, Ore. - Central HS) won the pole vault at the Pt. Loma Invitational with a height of 16’-0”, which is a provisional NCAA qualifying time and currently the best mark in Division III.
Honorable Mention: Chris Miles (Linfield, Sr., throws); Kory Kemp (Whitworth, Fr., javelin); Steve Bianchi (L&C, Jr., jumps); Bobby Larkins (Pacific, Fr., throws).

March 27

Men’s Track Athlete of the Week: Nick Symmonds (Willamette, Sr., Boise, Idaho - Bishop Kelly HS) won the 400 at the Charles Bowles Spring Classic in a time of 48.15, which leads all of NCAA DIII. He now has DIII’s fastest times in the 400, 800 and 1,500.
Honorable Mention: John Torsey (Linfield, Fr., sprints); Jake Moe (George Fox, Jr., steeplechase); Jeff Grassley (Whitworth, Jr., steeplechase).

Women’s Track Athlete of the Week: Ashley Sharratt (Willamette, So., Union, Ore. - Union) posted the NWC’s fastest time in the 3,000 steeplechase this season (11:41.00), while winning the event at the Charles Bowles Classic.
Honorable Mention: Lisa Mensonides (George Fox, Fr., hurdles); Cassie Aroyo (Pacific, So., hurdles); Kristi Dickey (Whitworth, Sr., distance).

Men’s Field Athlete of the Week: Seth Harris (George Fox, Jr., Boise, Idaho - Cole Valley Christian) finished second at the Pt. Loma Decathlon with a provisional NCAA qualifying score of 6,525, which currently ranks third in NCAA DIII. He had the event’s best mark in the long jump (21’-0.5”) and second best high jump (6’-2.75”).
Honorable Mention: Michael Johnson (PLU, Sr., throws, jumps); Kory Kemp (Whitworth, Fr., javelin); Jacob Monroe (Willamette, Fr., hammer).

Women’s Field Athlete of the Week: Lindsey Blankenship (George Fox, Jr., Washtucna, Wash. - Washtucna HS) won the hammer at the Charles Bowles Classic, breaking her own GFU and NWC record with a heave of 169’-7”, which is an NCAA qualifying mark and the top throw so far in DIII this season.
Honorable Mention: Jena Robinson (UPS, Sr., jumps); Brooke Barker (Pacific, So., throws, jumps); Megan Wochnick (PLU, Jr., throws); Sophia Dentzel (Willamette, Jr., javelin); Joni Claypool (Linfield, Sr., throws); Dacia Murillo (Whitworth, Sr., throws).

March 20

Women’s Track Athlete of the Week: Sarah Zerzan (Willamette, So., San Carlos, Calif. - Notre Dame HS) broke a 21-year old school record in the 3,000 run at the Oregon Preview, finishing with a time of 9:47.00.
Honorable Mention: Tamma Carleton (L&C, Fr., distance); Shana Shosky (Pacific, Jr., distance); Lisa Mensonides (George Fox, Fr., mid-distance).

Men’s Track Athlete of the Week: Nick Symmonds (Willamette, Sr., Boise, Idaho - Bishop Kelly HS) won the 800 at the Oregon Preview in an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 1:49.57. He defeated several Division I runners in the race.
Honorable Mention: Mat Strum (Linfield, Fr., sprints); Lucas Setere (Pacific, Sr., hurdles); Ben Spaun (Whitworth, So., hurdles); Brad Bates (George Fox, Sr., sprints).

Women’s Field Athlete of the Week: Joni Claypool (Linfield, Sr., Stayton, Ore. - Stayton HS) won the shot put at the Oregon Preview with an NCAA provisional qualifying toss of 46’-4.75”. She also won the event at the Linfield Invitational (43’-9”) and finished among the top five in both the discus (118’-0”) and hammer (117’-0”).
Honorable Mention: Sarah Marken (Whitworth, Sr., heptathlon); Alanna Pledger (Willamette, Fr., HJ); Brooke Barker (Pacific, Jr., javelin); Victoria Black (George Fox, Jr., PV); Megan Wochnick (PLU, Jr., hammer).

Men’s Field Athlete of the Week: Michael Johnson (PLU, Sr., Lake Stevens, Wash. - Lake Stevens HS) posted season bests of 161’-0” in the hammer throw and 144’-3” in the discus at the Oregon Preview. He also tossed the shot put 42’-8.5”.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Bennett (Willamette, So., SP); Drew Maves (George Fox, Jr., LJ); Bobby Larkins (Pacific, Fr., SP).

March 13

Men’s Track Athlete of the Week: (John Torsey (Linfield, Fr., Bend, Ore. - Summit HS) Won the 100 dash at the NWC South meet in an NWC best 10.99 and anchored the winning 4x100 relay to an NWC best time of 42.42.
Honorable Mention: Lucas Setere (Pacific, Sr.); Pete Van Sant (UPS, So.); Ben Decherd (Willamette, Sr.); Brad Bates (George Fox, Sr.).

Men’s Field Athlete of the Week: Chris Miles (Linfield, Sr., Junction City, Ore. - Junction City) won three individual events at the NWC South meet. He won the shot put (43’-9”), hammer throw (146’-10”), and discus (132’-10”), leading the Wildcats to a team win.
Honorable Mention: Derrick Dewindt (Whitworth, Sr., throws); Greg Gause (UPS, Sr., PV); Erik Jensen (PLU, Sr., HJ, PV, Jav); Steve Wilbon (Willamette, Sr., LJ); Sam McKenzie (George Fox, Fr., jumps); Bobby Larkins (Pacific, Fr., SP, Discus).

Women’s Track Athlete of the Week: Andrea May (Willamette, Jr., Bellingham, Wash. - Sehome) won the 100 dash (12.50) and 200 dash (25.73) at Mt. Hood, setting NWC bests so far this year. Both times rank in Willamette’s top-ten all-time.
Honorable Mention: Kelsey Newell (Linfield, Sr.); Cassie Arroyo (Pacific, So.); Rachel Giffey-Brohaugh (George Fox, So.).

Women’s Field Athlete of the Week: Kate Ross (L&C, Sr., Skowhagen, Maine - Skowhagen) won the long jump at the NWC south meet with a mark of 18’-5.75”, surpassing the NCAA provisional qualifying mark and setting a new school record.
Honorable Mention: Lindsey Blankenship (George Fox, Jr., hammer); Danielle Bielenberg (Linfield, Sr., throws); DeeDee Arnall (Pacific, Sr., throws); Melinda Fahey (Willamette, So., throws).

March 6

Women’s Track Athlete of the Week: Sarah Zerzan (Willamette, So., San Carlos, Calif. - Notre Dame) ran the 5,000 meters at the Willamette Opener in 17:14.57, earning an NCAA qualifying mark and breaking a 21 year old school record.
Honorable Mention: Kristi Dickey (Whitworth, Sr.); Lisa Mensonides (George Fox, Fr.); Shana Shosky (Pacific, Jr.); Faven Araya (PLU, Fr.).

Women's Field Athlete of the Week: Joni Claypool (Linfield, Sr., Stayton, Ore. - Stayton HS) posted a strong NCAA provisional qualifying mark while winning the shot put at the Linfield Icebreaker with a mark of 44’-8.25”. She also was fifth in the discus (119-4) and eighth in the hammer throw (124’-11”).
Honorable Mention: Lindsey Blankenship (George Fox, Jr.); Jena Robinson (UPS, Sr.); DeeDee Arnall (Pacific, Sr.); Alana Pledger (Willamette, Fr.); Kate Ross (L&C, Sr.); Julie Richard (PLU, Jr.).

Men's Track Athlete of the Week: Cody Moore (Whitworth, Jr., Pullman, Wash. - Pullman HS / CC of Spokane) won four events at the Willamette Opener. He won the 100 dash (11.52) and 200 dash (22.88), was part of the winning 4x400 relay (3:24.56) and anchored the winning 4x100 relay (44.45).
Honorable Mention: Nick Symmonds (Willamette, Sr.); Mat Strum (Linfield, Fr.); Brad Bates (George Fox, Sr.); Lucas Setere (Pacific, Sr.); Kenneth Chilcoat (PLU, So.).

Men's Field Athlete of the Week: Derrick Dewindt (Whitworth, Sr., Anchorage, Alaska - Bartlett HS / CC of Spokane), at the Willamette Opener, won the discus with a throw of 134’-03”, and finished second in the hammer throw with a distance of 169’-05”.
Honorable Mention: Zeb Udell (George Fox, Fr.); Steve Wilbon (Willamette, Sr.); Michael Johnson (PLU, Sr.).