Oregon Mini Meet

The men of XO were once again led by athletes in the field events who scored wins in the long jump (Colin McArthur – 22-2) and the high jump as Jason Boness and Kyley Johnson went 1-2. Training partners Ross Krempley and Kevin Ullman ran great races on the track. Krempley, in his primary event, sprinted into the lead with 50 meters to go and took the win with a negative split (58-56) clocking of 1:55.19. Ullman ran a tactical “back-to-front” race where he passed over 20 runners to take the lead at the bell. “I guess I just got too relaxed and stopped using my arms,” said Ullman after coming up short in the final strides to take second. Regardless, he claimed victory over a long time enemy in the four minute barrier as he dipped under in 3:59.70. Eric Dahl continues to chop time off his 100 and is all over the eleven second barrier as he went 11.03 to claim second in his race. He is also teetering on another time barrier as he clocked a 23.00 in the 200. Team XO welcomes long time friend, Dale Londos, to the team. Londos, a Master’s distance specialist and Licensed Massage Therapist for many XO athletes, ran a 9:17.01 in the men’s 3000 for his XO debut.

Mt. Sac

The trip to Mt. Sac proved unfruitful for all but one XO athlete, Cari Soong came away with an USA qualifying A standard throw in the women’s hammer of 216-01. She finished fifth in a deep field of some of the nation’s top throwers. Both Brayce Forsha and Kevin Ullman, who clocked a season best in the 800, were disappointed with their races. “I think we’re both fit,” said Ullman, “and [the breakthrough] will come, we just need to be patient and let it happen.”

Oregon Invite

The athletes of Team XO won five events Saturday night at a calm Hayward Field. In a meet highlighted by distance events, with Kenyan pace setters, Nike Oregon Project participation, and Galen Rupp’s debut, the distance runners of XO faired well overall, led by Max King’s impressive win in the steeplechase where he ran away from the field with a mile and a half to go. Rick Fuller also ran a gutsy race in the 5000, moving up throughout the race and earning a time of 14:22.93, just five seconds off the USA Masters record that he hopes to eclipse after he turns 40 this year.

As usual, the field events were largely dominated by XO athletes Cari Soong (women’s hammer), Simi Adeagbo (women’s triple jump), and Kyley Johnson (men’s high jump), each of who won their events. Adam Kriz earned a third place finish in the men’s hammer, as did Jason Boness in the high jump. Brandon Holliday opened his season in impressive style, winning the men’s 400 hurdles in convincing style. Earning a season best was 800 meter runner Ross Krempley, who clocked a 1:52.09. Finally, Brayce Forsha returned to his winning ways in the 1500 during the day sessions.


Kevin Ullman