NAMPA – ID The Northwest Nazarene Crusaders host the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships at the Jackson's Track Complex in Nampa. Several Crusaders are positioned to walk away with conference titles or All-conference honors this Saturday.
Athletes to watch
On the Women's side Joy Warrington (So, Colorado Springs) is ranked 1st in the Shot Put and 2nd in the Weight Throw in which the Crusaders have filled half of the field on their own and look to walk away with some points. Also, the women's 800m looks to be one of the best races on the track this weekend. Jaclyn Puga (Jr. Meridian, ID) 2:14.99 is ranked 4th, Michelle Philips (Sr. Meridian, ID) 2:16.89 is ranked 6th, and Christine Harwood (Fr. Pendleton, OR) 2:17.01 is ranked 7th. The women's 800m is especially tough in the GNAC conference and will most likely be sending several qualifiers to the National meet; Five years ago NNU's Ashley Puga won the 800m as a freshman in a time of 2:16.
On the Men's side, Matt Stark (So, Meridian, ID) is ranked 1st in the men's 800m with a time of 1:55.92 edging out Western Oregon Sr. Mike Schmidt 1:56.09 for the top spot. In a race that may push 5 athletes under 1:55, Stark has an excellent chance to run fast and set a new NNU school record in the 800m that is currently held by Ryan Meier at 1:55.47. Also look for Barak Watson (Fr, Nampa, ID) to be tough in the men's 5000m, ranked 3rd @ 14:44.52 and in the 1 mile run ranked 6th @ 4:20.15. Barak has proven that any race he is in is worth watching and expect him to chase All-Conference honors and or a title in both races. Maurus Hope (So, Adrian, OR) also brings forth the chance of a double Conference title in the 200m, ranked 1st @ 22.13 and in the 400m, ranked 4th in 50.09. Maurus enters his sophomore year as a known threat in the sprints throughout the conference, and looks to make things difficult on his competitors this weekend.
Teams are expected to arrive Friday afternoon with some limited practice at the Jackson's track. Field events begin at 9am Saturday with the women's Shot put and women's High jump, and running events begin at 11am with the women's 60m Hurdles.
