March 2, 2008

Impressive Individual Marks Highlight Icebreaker

Meet Results

MCMINNVILLE – The Pacific Lutheran track & field team got their season off to a good start this weekend at the Linfield Icebreaker. The two-day meet produced some impressive marks for this early point in the year.

Faven Araya had one of the more notable showings as she won the 400-meter dash (58.88). Araya, one of three returning athletes who competed at the national meet in 2007, set a lifetime best in the race. The mark set by Araya ranks 13th on the PLU all-time top-25 list. Along with her win in the 400, Araya finished fourth in the 200-meter dash (26.89), being edged by teammate Amy LeBrun (26.86).

Freshman Lakia Arceneaux took second overall in the 100-meter dash (12.93), while LeBrun finished third (13.06). Arceneaux, LeBrun, and Araya teamed up with Lynette Millard to win the 4x100-meter relay (50.09).

In the distance races, Lexie Miller had a breakout performance in the 5000-meter run. Miller ran a lifetime best (18.40.23) and punched her ticket to the Northwest Conference meet. The duo of Lauren McDonald (39:53) and Jillian Bartling (39:55) both ran lifetime bests in the
10,000-meter run join Miller in qualifying for the conference meet.

The throws featured Taylor Hacker and Karin Hatch, who both competed at the national meet last season. Hacker placed third in the hammer (152-11) and Hatch took second in the javelin (126-00).

The men’s squad did not look as sharp as the women’s team. Two athletes were able to qualify for the conference meet - Colton Oliphant in the hammer (138-01) and Isaac Moog in the long jump (21-03 1/4). Moog had a busy day also competing in the high jump (5-08 3/4) and 400-meter dash (52.93).

Next week the Lutes will travel across town to take part in the Joe Payton Invitational, hosted by UPS.

- PLU -