XO Dominates at Western Oregon

  Monmouth, OR – April 28th 2006 - A beautiful 81 degree day cooled to the mid-60s creating ideal conditions for Friday night’s Western Oregon Twilight.  Over 500 athletes converged on the track that began in the sun and ended under the stadium lights.  Three stadium records were rewritten as Concordia’s Annie Hess bettered the women’s discus mark by almost a foot (156-11), Oregon’s Colin Veldman destroyed the men’s discus mark by over thirteen feet (182-0), and another Oregon athlete, Kasey Harwood, took down the women’s 400 hurdles mark by over half a second (60.23) which is a personal record and a regional qualifying mark. 

The show however, was not stolen by these talented athletes, because the night was owned by XO.  The elite track and field team posted six wins and came away with four runner-up prizes as well.  They were led by training partners Ross Krempley and Kevin Ullman who claimed the top two spots respectively in the men’s 800 as well as each taking a leg of the winning 4x400 relay team.  Krempley’s 1:51.63 was good for a season best by two seconds, while Ullman’s 1:52.92 was a lifetime best, his second of the season at that distance.  “I tried to get on your shoulder a little with 200 to go,” said Ullman to Krempley as they both displayed winners’ smiles.  “I just can’t catch you on that last straight!”  With a sly grin, Krempley coolly responds, “Ain’t gonna happen, man.”  Training partner A.J. Casteel of the XO / Lane Distance Project had pace setting duties and took the pair through the 400 in 53 seconds and stayed with it until the 500 mark.  Then it was off to the races as Krempley was left with the lead, Ullman following, and the main pack at his heels.  With 200 to go, Ullman made a modest move to move onto Krempley’s shoulder and stayed there until 100 left.  But on the final straight it was all Krempley as he opened up a full second advantage and the two cleared the field for good. 

The men’s 4x400 was over almost before it began when XO put Phil Alexander in the blocks who had already posted a win in the 100 earlier in the day (10.99).  Out in lane five, Alexander made up the stagger on his outside competitors after the first 200 and passed the baton to Ullman in no-man’s land.  The 800 meter specialist took the first turn and cut in on the far side of the track and pushed to his second fastest relay split of his life (50.6).  Ullman handed off to Tyler May, still with a comfortable lead, who threw down a ridiculous 47.8 split to blow the race wide open.  The decathlete and winner of the day’s pole vault competition (13-11.25) made the final exchange with 4x400 meter veteran Ross Krempley who sealed the win and a 3:17.17 clocking, an XO team record. 

Also in the win column was hammer thrower, Cari Soong who once again decimated the field with the only throw of the day over 200 feet (207-4).  Emily Brown stayed consistent with her throws at the Oregon Invite and finished 5th with a throw of 165-8. 

Kyley Johnson was in control over at the men’s high jump once again as he cleared the field with his 6-10.75 clearance.  Chris Samuels finished in the runner-up spot in the men’s discus (157-10 – XO record), as did Michelle Forbes in the high jump (5-7 – XO record), and Jeremy Tolman in the men’s 3000 meter steeplechase.  Long jumper Colin McArthur jumped for his second week in a row and earned a third place finish for XO. 

The next opportunity for success will be at the Oregon Twilight back home at Hayward Field.  It will be another Friday night meet and a great way to start what is supposed to be another beautiful weekend as we make way towards summer in Eugene.  The approximate start time will be 4:30pm, so get there early to catch all the exciting Team XO action!

Kevin Ullman
800m specialist
XO PR Writer