News Release
CONTACT:
Ross Krempley—Team XO Director
Tel: 541.579.8326
Email: [email protected]
Mail: P.O. Box 3915 Eugene, OR 97403
Team XO Veterans, Rookies Tune-up
at Willamette Invite
SALEM, Ore.—3 April 2004— The
magnificent spring weather was matched by the equally magnificent
performances of Team XO athletes at the 2004 Willamette Invitational
track meet at Willamette University’s Charles Bowles Track.
The meet kicked off in strong fashion Friday night, with the Team
XO distance runners making an immediate impact. In the 5,000-meters,
Team XO’s Brayce Forsha and Rick Fuller finished first and
second, respectively. In only his second time ever competing in
the 5,000, Forsha timed in at 14:38.86, with Fuller right behind
at 14:40.03. Also competing in the 5,000 was XO’s John Mantalas,
who came in at 15:33.29.
Friday also featured Team XO’s Brandon Workman and newcomer
Jeff Sather. Running the 3,000-meter steeple chase, Workman placed
third overall with a time of 9:29.16. This was Workman’s
first steeple chase in over three years. Meanwhile, Sather took
eighth place in the 10,000 in 32:04.57.
Not much changed Saturday, with Team XO athletes continuing to
dominate many of the events.
On the field, it was another one-two punch by XO high jumpers
Kyley Johnson and Jason Boness. Johnson, who has been hitting
seven feet consistently in every competition this season, continued
his streak with a first place finish and a leap of 7-00.25. Boness
came in second, jumping 6-8.00.
Johnson said:
“Things are just going great with training this season and
I am getting quality attempts at the Olympic Trials bar.”
In the throws, it was XO’s Mary Etter easily out-throwing
the field. Etter’s heave of 169-05 in the discus put her
in first place by a large margin. Her strong day continued in
the shot put, where she finished second, tossing the shot 41-01.00.
Also competing in both the discus and shot, in his season debut,
was former Duck and current Team XO athlete Doug Sells, who placed
ninth in both events.
On the javelin runway, XO’s James Watts made the competition
a non-factor with his first place hurl of 202-05. It was Watts’
first time competing for Team XO this season.
Saturday was also a terrific tune-up day on the track for Team
XO. On the women’s side, XO’s Tara Crowley took fourth
place in the 800, running 2:13.85. In the 400 hurdles, Cameo Davis
ran to a fifth place finish.
On the track for the men, XO sprinter Ryan Chaney out leaned Melvin
Jenkins, a standout sprinter from Highline Community College,
for the win in the 400, at 47.4. Later, in the 800, Jay Woodard
and Ross Krempley placed a disappointing sixteenth and nineteenth.
It was Woodard’s first race ever for Team XO, as well as
Krempley’s first for this season, having just come off a
difficult foot injury.
Look for Team XO on April 10 at both the Oregon Mini Meet and
the George Fox Open.
