News Release

CONTACT:
Ross Krempley—Team XO Director
Tel: 541.579.8326
Email: [email protected]
Mail: P.O. Box 3915 Eugene, OR 97403

May first is a big day for team xo

EUGENE, Ore—1 May 2004— “Truly a meet to remember, and one to build upon,” said meet director Ross Krempley. The XO Invite was Team XO’s first attempt at putting on its own unique spin on a track and field meet, and it went off without a hitch. Over 32 school including 850 high school athletes from around the state of Oregon competed in the meet, concluding in numerous state leading marks, and one state record. It was a day filled with track events, musical performances, prizes, and special memories for many high school athletes.

The focus didn’t finish there for many of Team XO’s athletes; they had to compete at a meet later that day, XO Invite or not. “With many of our athletes competing later that day, it was an interesting problem that was presented to many of us, including myself,” said Jason Boness. Many of Team XO’s athletes were on there feet all day working the meet, including 2002 NCAA Champion javelin thrower John Stiegeler, who eventually ended up with a second place toss of 204’ 9”.

Putting on the meet that day didn’t keep Team XO from racking up three wins, four second place finishes, and a total of eleven top three finishes. Highlights from the seventeen competing athletes included a two-three finish in the hammer by Adam Kriz (218-04) and Justin Carvalho (208-02), a win by Tara Crowley in the 1500 (4:32.79), a win in the discus by Mary Etter (173-11), and a one-two-six-finish by high jumpers Jason Boness (6’ 11.5”) , Kyley Johnson (6’10.75”), and Joe Derieux (6’ 4.75”). “I was definitely fatigued,” said Jason Boness. “And when Kyley and I found ourselves in a jump off, it just seemed like the day that would never end, but a great day at that.”

In other action, Brayce Forsha and Paul Kezes had somewhat disappointing finishes in the Bill Machesney Memorial Twilight Mile, finishing seventh and third, with respective times of 4:10.81 and 4:09.20. Billy Pappas used the meet as a tune up and competed in the 110 high hurdles (14.61, 3rd), and the discus (133-04, 6th). Other notables were Eri McDonald in the 800 (2:09.55, 3rd) and Doug Sells in the shot put (47-06.50, 2nd), and discus (134-03, 5th).