Eugene, OR – May 5th 2006 - Team XO posted six wins and as many runner-up finishes at Friday night’s Oregon Twilight. Both Ross Krempley (800) and Tyler May (110HH) flirted with team records in their respective events.

In a hotly contested men’s 800 meter race that saw the rabbit (Andrew Krumins – Australia) as well as James Hatch (Nike Farm Team) drop from the lead pack that also included Marc Sylvester (Nike Farm Team), Mike McGrath (Oregon), and Ross Krempley (Team XO) with 300 meters to go. The threesome stayed in the same formation until 100 meters left when McGrath swung wide to attempt a move on Sylvester that allowed Krempley to launch his assault on the inside of lane one. “I saw Mike [McGrath] move wide and I was indecisive for a split second,” said a smiling Krempley, “I didn’t know whether to go inside or outside and I feel like that cost me the win.” Krempley’s 2nd place finishing time of 1:50.01 was just one one-hundredth of a second off his own Team XO record.

Tyler May found success in the men’s 110 meter high hurdles where he clocked a 14.62, good for 2nd place and just a tenth of a second off the Team XO record. May also earned a fourth place finish in the pole vault with his clearance at 13-9.25.

The high jumpers of XO put on their annual clinic at this year’s Twilight as perennial elites Kyley Johnson and Jason Boness sealed their standard 1-2 finish with clearances at 7-1 and 6-10.75 respectively. The exciting competition came down to a fourth jump awarded to each athlete as they were tied for both clearance and attempts. Johnson cleared 7-1 but Boness failed on his attempt. “I did him a favor and missed,” said a good-humored Boness, “I wanted him to win one too.” The clinic was coed as Michelle Forbes won the women’s high jump with a clearance of 5-6.5, just half an inch off her own XO record.

Simi Adeagbo was her usual self on the triple jump runway as she won the event with a distance of 43-11.25. John Stiegeler made a surprise appearance in the men’s javelin sporting a new shave and a healthy arm. Not surprisingly, the NCAA champ, Olympic Trials Qualifier, and XO record holder won the event with a toss of 211-0. Another two wins were provided by sprinter Phil Alexander in the 200 (21.69) as he also anchored the 4x400 meter relay team that scored a tight win (3:18.93) over good friends and training partners at Lane Community College (3:19.29).

Kevin Ullman
800m specialist
XO PR Writer