2008 Meet Reviews

Lake Oswego Track & Field

LOtrack.org

2008 Meet Reviews

Greer Competes at World Junior Championships

Elijah Greer's junior (high school class) prep season finally came to an end as he represented the United States in the 800 meters at the World Junior (under 20) Track & Field Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. One of 48 international qualifiers in the 800, Elijah placed 5th in Heat 6 in the prelims on 7.08.08 with a time of 1:50.73 and advanced with one of the faster times. The next day he ran a fine 1:50.47 to place 6th in his heat, but did not qualify as only eight advanced to the finals. His heat was won by eventual World Junior champion Abubaker Kaki of Sudan, who clocked 1:45.60 to win the final on 7.11.08.

Greer Wins USA Junior National Championship with 4th Fastest US Prep Time in History--1:47.68

Elijah Greer ran yet another personal best, this time against some of the best junior (Under 20 years of age) competition in the country as he clocked an amazing 1:47.68 at the Jesse Owens Track & Field Complex at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, 6.21.08.

The LO junior (high school class) passed the 400 meter mark in 52.8 in fifth place, before taking the lead with 200 meters remaining and then pulling away around the turn and maintaining his lead down the home stretch. He finished almost a full second ahead of another high schooler and runnerup Zach Mellon (1:48.64) of Minnesota. Greer and Mellon will represent the USA at the World Junior Championships in BYDGOSZCZ, Poland the second week of July.

He is now #4 on the all time US high school performance list. Californian Michael Glanville's 1:46.45 in 1996 is the all time prep best, with Mississippi's George Kersh (1:46.58 in 1987) and CA's Pete Richardson (1:47.31 in 1981) the only schoolboy times faster than Greer's.

Elijah's time is now the fastest ever by an Oregon high school athlete and lowers his junior class record that he set in the prelims and at the Pre Classic. It is also the fastest ever in the country for a junior in high school.

To view video of this race www.milesplit.us/videos/4457?id=4460

Under videos scroll to USATF Boys 800.

Greer Leads 800 meter Qualifying at USA Junior Nationals with PR

LO's Elijah Greer lowered his school record for 800 meters with a time of 1:50.15 as he won the first of three heats at the USA Junior National Championships at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH on Friday, 6.20.08. His time was the fastest of the day as nine runners qualified for Saturday's finals, which will determine the USA team for the World Junior Championships later this summer in Poland.

Greer Lowers LO School 800 Record Again, 6.8.08

Elijah Greer, the 2008 Oregon state 800 champion, ran 1:50.31 to place second in the third heat of the 800 meters in the morning session of the Pre Classic at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene. That time was almost 3 tenths of a second faster than his 1:50.6 state meet record two weeks previous.

Northwest Youth Classic, Willamette University, 6.7.08

LO junior James Ratliff won the 400 meter Intermediate Hurdles in 54.56 and also the 110 Highs in 14.89 (hand timed). It was his first attempt at the 400 meter hurdle distance.

LO Track & Field Awards Night: Monday, 6.2.08

The Lakers concluded their 2008 season with their annual awards night presentations before a large audience of athletes and parents. Their were many honors, including Elijah Greer's State Championship and State Meet record in the 800 meters. Other placers at state were: James Ratliff, Micah Hatfield, the boys' 4 x 400 relay of Thomas Belesiu, Hatfield, Ratliff and Greer, Tate Murray, Jacqui Wallis and the girls' 4 x 400 relay of Murray, Aly Steinbacher, Wallis and Kate Mogentale. Head coach Eric was honored as District Coach of the Year and once again praised his staff of assistants for their work in receiving that honor.

Each of the 21 graduating seniors were honored and briefly spoke of their high points and future plans.

LO Girls Place 2nd in 4 x 800 Relay in Portland Track Festival, 5.31.08

The LO girls 4 x 800 relay placed 2nd to Summit High School on Saturday at Mt. Hood Community College. The team of Latane Cox (2:25.34), Aly Steinbacher (2:28.1), Lauren Ohslon (2:25.05) and Tate Murray (2:20.63) ran 9:39.12, which is a new LO school record. Their performance bettered the 9:40 standard that earned them an invitation to this event.

BorderDuel at Lewis & Clark College, 5.31.08

Three LO runners competed in the first BorderDuel event pitting some of the best athletes from Oregon and Washington. James Ratliff set a new school record in the 300 meter Intermediate Hurdles with a time of 38.99 while winning that event. He qualified for the finals with a 39.89 earlier that afternoon. He also placed 3rd in the 110 High Hurdles in 15.17 after qualifying in 15.14. Thomas Belesiu placed 6th in the 400 meters (51.74) after qualifying in 51.88. Jacqui Wallils ran the 100 (13.03) placing 9th in the prelims and not advancing, but advanced to the finals in the 200 (26.3) and placed 6th in 26.54.

JV District Meet at LO, 5.9.08

Lake Oswego hosted the 2008 Three Rivers League District Junior Varsity Track & Field Championship meet on a rare sunny afternoon. Results should be posted soon at www.athletic.net.

Lakers finish dual meet season at Oregon City, 5.6.08

The Laker Girls bested TRL rival Oregon City by one point as LO won the final event--the 4 x 400 relay in their best time of the season. The boys, although not running everyone in their best events, lost to the OC boys and their strong field team.

Highlights:

Jacqui Wallis won 100 (12.83 a), 200 (26.39 a), personal bests, and ran on both winning relays
Brandon Akerman set a personal best of 49'0" in winning the Shot Put--a mark that is in the top ten all time at LO.
Kate Mogentale set a PB in the 100 at 12.99 a (2nd) and took second in the 200 (26.89 a), ran on the victorious 4 x 100 relay and threw the Shot.
Elijah Greer ran a personal best of 50.31 a in winning the 400 meters
Thomas Belesiu set a PB in placing second in 51.65 a and also ran a personal best of 23.69 a in winning the 200 meters
Paul Hoard placed second in the 800 with a time of 2:02.48
James Ratliff won both hurdles events (15.3 a and 40.18 a)
Chris Caldwell won the 3000 in 9:34.1
Tate Murray won the girls' 1500 in 4:52.24
Lauren Ohlson set a personal best in winning the 3000 in 11:05.1
Cali Reis set personal bests in the 110 High Hurdles (17.6 a) and 200 meters (27.44 a)
Aly Steinbacher won the 800 in 2:29.3
Chris Luetjen won the 100 meters in 11.66 a
Jimmy Jacobson won the Discus with a throw of 134'10"
Melanie Overall set a personal best of 112'5" in the Javelin and also in the Shot Put (30'5")
Gina Contolini won the Triple Jump with a distance of 33'0", cleared 8'0" in the Pole Vault and Long Jumped 13'11" for 3rd
Morgan McGuire cleared 9'0" for second in the Pole Vault
The girls' 4 x 400 relay won an exciting race with their best time of the season (4:10.54) with Aly Steinbacher, Tate Murray, Emily Hoard and Jacqui Wallis passing the baton
Victor Otto set a personal best in the Pole Vault, clearing 11"0'

Senior Day versus Lakeridge on Wednesday, 4.30.08.

The Laker boys bested crosstown rival Lakeridge 100 to 44 and the girls lost 81-62 in the final varsity home meet of the season at the LO Track & Field complex. It was senior day as 21 Lakers completed their LO career.

Highlights:

Morgan McGuire broke her own girls Pole Vault record with a vault of 10'0".
Micah Hatfield moved up to number 2 on the all-time LO performances in the 110 meter High Hurdles with a time of 15.06 a, and ran on the winning 4 x 100 relay
Jimmy Jacobson moved up a spot on the all-time list in the Discus with a throw of 143'8"
Kate Mogentale moved up the all-time list in the 100 meters with a time of 13.08 a.
Jacqui Wallis ran the fastest LO 200 meters of the year in winning with a 26.58 and also won the 400 meters (1:01.26 a)
Elijah Greer was a double winner (1500/4:09.9 and 800/2:00.7)
Lauren Ohlson ran two personal bests in winning the 1500 (5:07.38) and 3000 (11:11.93)
Paul Hoard ran a personal best of 2:02.08 in placing second in the 800 meters
Thomas Belesiu won the 400 (52.89 a), ran on both winning relays (4 x 100 & 4 x 400), and took second in the 200 (23.98)
Janelle Croy ran a personal best of 52.18 to win the 300 meter Low Hurdles
James Ratliff won the 300 Intermediate Hurdles (41.01 a) and placed second in the 110 High Hurdles (equalling his best of 15.21 a) and ran on both winning relays.
Chris Luetjen threw a personal best of 147'08" to win the Javelin and placed second in the 100 (11.69 a)
Nick Bottcher won the Triple Jump with a 39'05" and finished 3rd in both the 100 and 200, setting personal bests in the TJ and 100 (11.79 a)
Brandon Akerman won the Shot Put with a heave of 47'03.5"
Curtis Houghton won the Pole Vault at 11'0"
Victor Otto set a personal best of 10'6" in the Pole Vault

Centennial Invitational, Saturday, 4.26.08
Although less than a handful of Lakers competed in the 44th edition of this premier Northwest meet in Gresham, OR, they definitely made LO proud. Elijah Greer ran the fastest outdoor prep 800 meters in the state as he bolted to the lead as the bell sounded for the second and final circuit of Centennial High School's newly resurfaced 400 meter track. After a 57+ first lap, the LO junior and defending 6A 1500-meter state champion, closed with a 55+ final 400 to post a time of 1:53.47. He bested the field by a large margin.

Junior James Ratliff placed second in the 110 meter High Hurdles and third in the 300 meter Intermediate Hurdles. His times of 15.21a and 39.91a were both impressive.

Sophomore Tate Murray, returning to competition after nursing a sore foot, placed 6th in the competitive girls' 1500 meters with a time of 4:55.17.

Cotton Invitational, Friday, 4.25.08
The Lakers varsity runners competed at the Grant Bowl track at Grant High School on Friday afternoon in the long running Cotton Inviational. Results on www.athletic.net.

Highlights:

Micah Hatfield won the 110 meter High Hurdles (15.43a), and ran on the 2nd place 4 x 400 relay (52.0 split) and 3rd place 4 x 100
Paul Hoard won the 800 meters in 2:03.2 and ran a leg (54.0) on the 2nd place 4 x 400 relay
Brandon Akerman won the Shot Put with a throw of 46'11"
Thomas Belesiu ran a personal best to place 3rd in the 400 meters (51.78 a), ran on the 2nd place 4 x 400 relay (52.0 split), ran on the 3rd place 4 x 100 relay and placed 6th in the 200 (23.88a)
Chris Caldwell ran a personal best in placing 3rd in the 3000 meters (9:25.49)
Jimmy Jacobson placed 4th in the Discus (138'8"), the 10th best mark on the LO all-time list
Nick Bottcher placed 2nd in the Triple Jump (38'11")
Kate Mogentale took 2nd in the 200 meters (26.89a), 4th in the 100 meters (12.9)--a personal best, and ran on the 3rd place 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays (1:02.4/400 split)
Jacqui Wallis was 2nd in the 400 meters (1:00.89a) and 4th in the Long Jump (15'5")
Lauren Ohlson placed third in the 800 meters (2:27.38a)
Morgan McGuire continued her hot Pole Vaulting with a third place (9'6")
Shannon Reader was third in the Shot Put at 33'1"
Aly Steinbacher placed 4th in the 1500 meters (5:15.2)
Melanie Overall threw the Javelin 108'2" for a personal best and 4th place

Previously

LO at Putnam, 4.9.08
The Laker girls' continued their unbeaten dual meet season with a win over Putnam on another chilly Oregon spring afternoon. The boys team couldn't overcome the Putnam dominance in the field events and saw their record drop to 1-2 in the Three Rivers League, despite some fine performances.

Highlights

Senior Kate Mogentale won the 200 meters in 27.11, and had the second fastest time in the 100 at 13.03, ran on winning 4 x 100 relay and placed 4th in the Shot Put

Sophomore Tate Murray was a triple winner, taking the 800 in 2:24.7 and the 1500 in 5:01.13 and running a leg on the 4 x 400 relay

Jacqui Wallis also won three events: the 400 meters (1:02.4), the Long Jump (14'10.75") and ran on the winnng 4 x 100 relay

Soph Cali Reis won the 100 High Hurdles in 17.98, placed 2nd in the 100 (13.71) and ran on the winning 4 x 100 relay

Shannon Reader won the Shot Put with a heave of 33'4.5"

Melanie Overall won the Javelin with a toss of 104'3" and placed third in the Shot Put (29'2")

Ali Steinbacher placed second in the 800 (2:31.53), 1500 (5:10.11) and ran on the winning 4 x 400 relay

Shelley Chestler won the 300 (12:00.48) and placed 4th in the 1500

James Ratliff won both hurdles events (110s in 15.09 and 300s in 40.62) and ran on the winning 4 x 400 relay

Elijah Greer, running for team points, easily won both the 1500 (4:20.68) and 800 in 1:58.9--his fastest of the outdoor season

Thomas Belesiu won the 400 (53.05), the 200 (23.46), ran on the winnng 4 x 400 relay and also on the 4 x 100 relay

Chris Caldwell won the 3000 (9:44.32) and placed third in the 1500 (4:26.84)

Nick Bottcher placed second in the Triple Jump at 38'6.5"

Micah Hatfield took second in the 110 High Hurdles in 15.44 and ran on the 4 x 100 relay

Chris Luetjen placed second in the 100 *11.18), third in the High Jump (5'6"0 and ran on the 4 x 100 relay

Milwaukie at LO, 4.2.08.
The Laker ladies won their second dual meet of the season as they bested Milwaukie at the LO track and field complex on 4.2.08. Many of LO's athletes did not compete in their speciality events as they prepared for Friday's Laker Classic Invitational.

Highlights:

Cali Reis won 100 meters (13.63a), 100 High Hurdles (18.55a), ran leg on winning 4 x 100 relay and was second in 200 meters (28.24.a)

Lauren Ohlson dropped down to the 400 meters and won in personal best (1:03.92a) and ran leg on winnng 4 x 400 relay

Tate Murray won 800 meters in 2:23.0 and ran on 4 x 400 relay

Shelley Chestler won 1500 in 5:21.0

Aly Steinbacher ran personal best of 2:27.0 for 2nd in 800 meters

4 x 100 relay won (Kate Mogentale, Jaqcui Wallis, Cali Reis and Meghan Ellis)

Shannon Reader won Shot Put (33'03"), a personal best

Becca Hodges won Javelin (111'11"), a personal best

Melanie Overall placed second in Shot (30'03") and had new personal best in the Javelin (105'08")

Jacqui Wallis won Long Jump 15'02"

Morgan McGuire was second in Pole Vault at 9'00"

The boys also did not have many of their athletes in their speciality events as they prepared for Friday's Laker Classic Invitational and lost to Milwaukie.

Highlights

Micah Hatfield won the 100 meter High Hurdles (16.04a) and 300 Intermediate Hurdles (42.47a)

Paul Hoard won the 400 meters (54.06a) and ran on 4 x 400 relay

Alex Martin won 800 (2:15.0) and ran leg on winning 4 x 400 relay

Elijah Greer easily won the 1500 (4:18.0) and ran lead-off leg on winning 4 x 400 relay

Brendan Hanlon won the 3000 meters (11:02)

Curtis Houghton won Pole Vault (13'0") and ran on 4 x 100 relay

Brandon Akerman (47'00") and Joel Minugh (46'08.5" personal best)placed second and third in Shot Put

Jimmy Jacobson placed 2nd in Discus (109'10")

Chris Caldwell ran personal best of 4:26.0 for 2nd in 1500

Canby All Comers Meet, 3.26.08
A huge turnout of Oregon Track & Field athletes braved the cold, wet and windy weather for the annual Spring Break All Comers meet graciously hosted by Canby High School. On a day much better spent inside by a cozy fireplace, a spirited group ran, jumped and threw as the cold rain showers and wind pounded them during their events.

LO's distance contingent of Elijah Greer, Chris Caldwell and Alex Martin competed "unattached" in the 1500 and 800 meter events as this was not an official high school meet. In the 1500, Greer, ran in the lead pack for most of the race before sprinting to victory in a time of 4:12.?. Caldwell placed 9th in 4:28 and Martin 15th in 4:42. The trio ran in separate heats of the 800 later in the day, but offical times are not available at this time.

Thomas Belesiu celebrated his 18th birthday by winning his heat in the 400 meters, finishing into a strong headwind, with a time of 53.?. He also ran the 200 later (time and place unavailable).

Becca Hodges competed in the girls' Javelin, but those results were not available at this posting.

LO at West Linn, 3.19.08
The Laker Track & Field team opened their Three Rivers League season at West Linn High School on another cold and rainy Wednesday afternoon. Despite the weather, there were many smiles as LO won both the girls and boys competitions.

The girls produced many personal records as they totaled 104 points to easily best West Linn's 40, while the boys needed to win the last event of the day to best their green & yellow rivals 73 1/3 to 70 2/3.

Highlights:

Jacqui Wallis won both 100 and 200 meters, ran on winning 4 x 100 Relay and placed 2nd in Long Jump

Tate Murray won both 1500 and 3000 meters

Megan Ellis won 400 meters

Latane Cox won 800 meters and ran on winning 4 x 400 Relay

Melanie Overall won Shot Put and Megan McMillian won Discus

Becca Hodges won Javelina and Morgan McGuire won the High Jump

Gina Contolini won the Triple Jump and Gabi d'Amato won the Pole Vault

Aly Steinbacher had personal bests in 800 (3rd) 1500 (2nd) and a 63.5 on winning 4 x 400 Relay

James Ratliff won 4 events (110 High & 300 IM Hurdles plus Long and Triple Jumps)

Micah Hatfield won both the 100 and 200 meters

Thomas Belesiu won 400 in personal best of 52.0, and was 2nd in 200 at 23.9

Paul Hoard won 800 in personal best of 2:04.6

Chris Caldwell ran personal best of 9:29.4 for 2nd in 3000 meters

Sean Johnson ran personal best of 4:25.6 for 3rd in 1500 meters

Brandon Akerman and Joel Minugh took 1-2 in Shot Put

Curtis Houghton won Pole Vault

4 x 400 Relay (Belesiu, Keith Billings, David Byerly and Hoard) won in 3:41.6 to secure team victory

Reynolds & Portland Christian at LO on 3.12.08
Boys: Senior Brandon Akerman opened the Lakers 2008 season with a huge personal best of 47'01.5" in winning the Shot Put in competition against Reynolds and Portland Christian High Schools. On a cool, and eventually cold, March afternoon Akerman and fellow Laker Joel Minugh went one-two in the Shot. Minugh, a junior, put the big iron ball 44'05".

Junior James Ratliff won both the Long and Triple jumps with marks of 19'09" and 39'05", respectively. Senior Nick Bottcher took second in the Triple with a distance of 37'04".

Senior Chris Caldwell was also a double winner as he easily won both the 1500 and 3000 meter events, with respective times of 4:30.46 and 9:50.78. Junior Thomas Belesiu won the 400 meters in 53.05, placed second in the 200 (24.07), ran a 52.9 leg on the second place 4 x 400 relay, and ran on the winning 4 x 100 relay.

Other multi-event placers were Seniors Curtis Houghton and Alex Martin. Houghton placed second in the varsity 100 meters (12.54), ran a leg on the 4 x 100 and placed 4th in the Pole Vault and 5th in the Triple Jump. Martin placed second in a close finish in the 800 (2:09.86), third in the 1500 (4:35.17) and ran a leg (57.5) on the second place 4 x 400 relay.

Sophomore Chris Luetjen ran 12.15 to win the JV 100 meters, which turned out to be the fastest time of the day--even better than the varsity times. He also placed 4th in the High Jump at 5'6". Junior Paul Hoard ran a fine 54.6 leg on the 4 x 400 relay after placing third in the open 400 (53.77) and running a 24.52 to win the JV 200.

Girls: 2007 State qualifiers Jacqui Wallis and Tate Murray were double winners in the sprints and middle distances, respectively. Wallis took the 100 in 13.36 and twice that distance in 27.53 after opening the day on the winning 4 x 100 relay and placing third in the Long Jump (14'07"). Murray led LO sweeps in the 800 and 1500 events with winning times of 2:28.75 and 5:07.36. She was followed by seniors Lauren Ohlson (2:31.85) and Aly Steinbacher (2:32.84) in the 800 and by frosh Latnae Cox (5:10.11), senior Shelley Chestler (5:23.95) and Steinbacher (5:24.66) in the 1500. Chestler also won the 3000 in 11:59..77.

Wallis teamed with seniors Mady Johnson, Kate Mogentale and soph Jess Strull to take the 4 x 100 relay in 52.05. Mogentale also placed second in the 200 (27.63) and 5th in the Shot Put, while Johnson was fourth in the 100.

Senior Becca Hodges won the Javelin with a throw of 109'06" and soph Melanie Overall was third at 98'06". Junior Erin Yaylali won the varisty 400 meters in 1:07.39, while freshman Meghan Ellis had the fastest time of the day at 1:05.17 in winning the JV event. Senior Shannon Reader put her name in the LO record books with a toss of 32'06.5" in the Shot Put (2nd). Senior Morgan McGuire and soph Gabi d'Amato went 1-2 in the Pole Vault both clearing 8'00". Gina Contolini placed second in the Triple Jump (29'07.5") and 4th in the Long Jump (13'11").

Previous Results

Elijah Greer competed in the Linfield Icebreaker meet as a member of Team XO and placed 4th overall in the 400 meters with a time of 50.86.

Previous Results

Defending Oregon 6A State 1500-meter champion, Elijah Greer, began his 2008 season with an impressive 1:52.66 800-meter run at the University of Washington Indoor meet on Saturday, 2.16.08. The performance ranks as the second fastest prep time in the nation this season.

Here is a link to an interview with Elijah on dyestat.com:
http://www.dyestat.com//?pg=usIntervalSessionsIndoors08IntSes35EGreerOR&PHPSESSID=
4b4c2931595a5dbf4aa4bc50b732b52e

To watch the race video click here.
http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?do=view&member_id=31&video_id=1311