The Crusaders opening day results were highlighted by second-place finishes for Jaclyn Puga in the Steeplechase, Karina Elzinga in the Pole Vault, and Joy Warrington in the Discus.  NNU's women's team is in third place after day one, and the men's team is in fifth.

GNAC release from Day 1...

Courtney Olsen of Western Washington won the women's steeplechase and Micah Chelimo of Alaska Anchorage won the men's event Friday in the opening day of the ninth annual Great Northwest Athletic Conference track and field championships at Monmouth, Ore. (Meet Program).

Both athletes set meet records. Olsen was timed 10:50.62 as she outraced NNU's Jaclyn Puga who finished second in 10:52.07.

In the men's steeplechase, Chelimo posted a time of 9:02.70, five seconds ahead of teammate Alfred Kangogo.

Also earning meet records were Carolanne Powers of Western Oregon in the javelin, Lauren Breihof of Western Washington in the 10,000, Seattle Pacific's Jessica Pixler in the prelims of the 800 and Ethan Hewitt of Alaska Anchorage in the prelims of the men's 400.

Powers had a javelin mark of 154-9, eclipsing the oldest meet record on the books which was set in 2002 by Stephanie Huffman of Seattle Pacific.

Breihof won the 10,000 in a meet record time of 36:16.89, breaking the old mark of 36:31.85 set by teammate Sarah Porter in 2008.

Pixler was clocked in a time of 2:10.66, breaking her own record of 2:10.93 she set three years ago. Hewitt was timed in 47.79 eclipsing the old record of 48.11 set two years ago by WOU's Ashtin Mott.

Two athletes - Western Washington's Keefe Brockman in the men's high jump (6-6 3/4) and Melissa Peaslee of Seattle Pacific in the women's pole vault (11-9 3/4) - successfully defended titles they won in 2008.

In addition to Chelimo, Olsen, Powers, Brockman, Peaslee and Breihof, Friday's winners also included Ashley Potter of Western Oregon in the women's long jump (18-4 1/4), Montana State Billings's Alexi Harrison in the discus (135-8), Marko Cheseto of Alaska Anchorage in the men's 10,000 (31:23.03), Jason Slowey of Western Oregon in the shot (54-0), Ben Elder of Western Washington in the discus (158-2) and Demietrius Preston of Alaska Anchorage in the long jump (24-4 1/4).

The marks by Powers, Potter and Slowey were GNAC season-best performances as were prelim times posted by SPU's Latasha Essien (12.11) and Crystal Sims (25.13) in the 100 and 200, respectively. Brockman's winning high jump mark matched the GNAC season-best.

With seven of 21 events completed, Western Washington leads the men's team race with 91 points, 37 ahead of Central Washington and Western Oregon. WWU and Seattle Pacific are tied with 68 1/2 points in the women's race.

Meet Records: Women, 800 - Jessica Pixler, SPU, 2:10.66. Steeplechase - Courtney Olsen, WWU, 10:52.62. 10,000 - Lauren Breihof, WWU, 36:16.89. Javelin - Carolanne Powers, WOU, 47.16 – 154-9. Men, 400 - Ethan Hewitt, UAA, 47.79. Steeplechase - Micah Chelimo, UAA, 9:02.79. Repeat Champions: Men: High Jump - Keefe Brockman, WWU (2008). Women: Pole Vault - Melissa Peaslee, SPU (2008).

WOMEN

Team Scores (through 7 of 21 events) – Western Washington 68 1/2, Seattle Pacific 68 1/2, Northwest Nazarene 54, Western Oregon 38, Central Washington 21, Alaska Anchorage 11, Montana State Billings 10, Saint Martin's 1.

Steeplechase - 1. Courtney Olsen, WWU, 10:50.62 (meet record, old 10:57.0, Jessica Harper, WOU, 2008); 2. Jaclyn Puga, NNU, 10:52.07; 3. Danielle Slaughter, WWU, 11:26.54; 4. Jordan Powell, NNU, 11:35.00; 5. Jessica Boyer, WWU, 11:45.05; 6. Megan Everetts, WOU, 11:49.10; 7. Meagan Swenson, NNU, 11:58.22; 8. Emma Bohman, UAA, 12:09.68.

10,000 – 1. Lauren Breihof, WWU, 36:16.89 (meet record, old 36:31.85, Sarah Porter, WWU, 2008); 2. Natty Plunkett, SPU, 36:40.80; 3. Sarah Porter, WWU, 37.33.28; 4. Amanda Wright, WOU, 37:42.87; 5. Sierra Brisky, WWU, 38:22.07; 6. Shoshana Keegan, UAA, 38:50.27; 7. KayAnna Cecchi, WOU, 40:23.67; 8. Helen Camden, SMU, 40:25.61.

Long Jump – 1. Ashley Potter, WOU, 5.59 – 18-4 ¼; 2. Emily Warman, WWU, 5.57 – 18-3 ¼; 3. Trinna Miranda, SPU, 5.48 – 17-11 ¾; 4. Amanda Alvarez, SPU, 5.42 – 17-9 ½; 5. Jasmyn Jewitt, NNU, 5.36 – 17-7; 6. Crystal Sims, SPU, 5.34 – 17-6 ¼; 7. Natalie Nobbs, SPU, 5.31 – 17-5 ¼; 8. Lacey Meusec, WOU, 5.30 – 17-4 ¾.

Pole Vault – 1. Melissa Peaslee, SPU, 3.60 – 11-9 ¾; 2. Karina Elzinga, NNU, 3.50 – 11-5 ¾; 3. Elsa Couvelier, WWU, 3.40 – 11-1 ¾; 4. Amanda DiEnno, WWU, 3.40 – 11-1 ¾; 4. Kjersti Gedde, SPU, 3.40 – 11-1 ¾; 6. Jamie Larsen, CWU, 3.30 – 10-10; 7. Karis Anderson, WWU, 3.30 – 10-10; 8. Jennifer Quick, WWU, 3.20 – 10-6.

Discus - 1. Alexi Halvorson, MSUB, 41.36 – 135-8; 2. Joy Warrington, NNU, 40.48 – 132-10; 3. Torrie Self, CWU, 40.38 – 132-6; 4. Carly Dranginis, NNU, 38.90 – 127-7; 5. Raisa Yates, CWU, 38.80 – 127-3; 6. Brittany Jones, WWU, 37.50 – 123-0; 7. Elisha Harris, UAA, 37.12 – 121-9; 8. Emily Spieker, WWU, 36.92 – 121-1.

Javelin – 1. Carolanne Powers, WOU, 47.16 – 154-9 (meet record, old 45.21 - 148-4, Stephanie Huffman, SPU, 2002); 2. Brittany Aanstad, SPU, 45.00 – 147-8; 3. Amanda Schumaker, WOU, 44.66 – 146-6; 4. Elisha Harris, UAA, 42.94 – 140-10; 5. Laura Vonarx, NNU, 42.54 – 139-7; 6. Monika Gruszecki, WWU, 42.14 – 138-3; 7. Lakiesha Nilles, NNU, 39.88 – 130-10; 8. Caitlyn Morris, WOU, 39.00 – 127-11.

Prelims

100 - Heat 1, 1. Latasha Essien SPU, 12.11; 2. Megan Zukowski, WWU, 12.42; 3. Melissa Grammer, NNU, 12.43; 4. Ardrienna Everett, UAA, 12.50; 5. Sarah Kathrein, WOU, 12.60; 6. Stefani Dittmar, WOU, 12.72; 7. Erika Halle, MSUB, 12.75; 8. Mary Bailey, WOU, 13.00. Heat 2, 1. Crystal Sims, SPU, 12.17; 2. Lacey Meusec, WOU, 12.35; 3. Joana Houplin, WWU, 12.36; 4. Christabel Leonce, NNU, 12.56; 5. Latoya Tidwell, NNU, 12.78; 6. Sarah Takayoshi, CWU, 12.81; 7. Justine Simons, MSUB, 12.87; 8. Britney Derhak, MSUB, 12.98.

200 - Heat 1, 1. Crystal Sims, SPU, 25.13; 2. Megan Zukowski, WWU, 25.46; 3. McKenzie Redberg, WOU, 25.67; 4. Lacey Meusec, WOU, 25.77; 5. Britney Derhak, MSUB, 26.68; 6. Sarah Takayoshi, CWU, 27.14. Heat 2, 1. Joana Houplin, WWU, 25.79; 2. Sarah Kathrein, WOU, 25.79; 3. Erika Halle, MSUB, 25.88; 4. Stefani Dittmar, WOU, and Latoya Tidwell, NNU, 26.13; 6. Lexi Pola, WOU, 26.38. Heat 3, 1. Latasha Essien, SPU, 25.41; 2. Emily Quatier, SPU, 26.07; 3. Christabel Leonce, NNU, 26.14; 4. Carolanne Powers, WOU, 26.29; 5. Justine Simons, MSUB, 26.63.

400 - Heat 1, 1. Emily Quatier, SPU, 57.97; 2. Lindsay Brady, NNU, 58.56; 3. Meryl Butcher, WOU, 58.83; 4. Jennifer Pike, SPU, 59.39; 5. *Crystal McDowell, WOU, 1:00.08; 6. Megan Friess, Megan Friess, UAA, 1:00.78. Heat 2, 1. Sarah Brownell, WWU, 58.08; 2. Lexi Pola, WOU, 58.72; 3. Megan O'Connell, WWU, 59.10; 4. Shanna Rippy, NNU, 1:00.08; 5. Christa Brediger, NNU, 1:03.02. (*Advances on tie-breaker).

800 - Heat 1, 1. Jessica Pixler, SPU, 2:10.66 (meet record, old 2:10.93, Pixler, 2007); 2. Michelle Phillips, NNU, 2:14.81; 3. Rachael Johnson, WWU, 2:14.96; 4. Janelle Everetts, WOU, 2:16.31; 5. Cheri Watson, WWU, 2:19.07; 6. Katie Krehlik, UAA, 2:19.77; 7. Christine Harwood, NNU, 2:21.59. Heat 2, 1. Kate Harline, SPU, 2:16.47; 2. Jane Larson, SPU, 2:16.58; 3. Lisa Anderberg, SPU, 2:16.62; 4. Sarah Jackson, MSUB, 2:17.96; 5. Zoe Skordahl, WOU, 2:18.20; 6. Annie Laweryson, SMU, 2:20.50; 7. Haida Ikeda, WWU, 2:21.86; 8. Kelsey Brown, SPU, 2:23.89.

100 Hurdles - Heat 1, 1. Kaitlyn Reid, WOU, 14.87; 2. Raquel Gonzalez, CWU, 15.24; 3. Kira Lewis, SPU, 15.43; 4. Janna Vander Meulen, WOU, 15.48; 5. Ali Mosher, 15.61; 6. Katy Gross, SPU, 15.65; 7. Meagan Friess, UAA, 16.15. Heat 2, 1. Crystal Sims, SPU, 14.45; 2. Michelle Howe, WWU, 14.53; 3. Lauren Laichak, UAA, 15.01; 4. Tanya Bjornsson, WWU, 15.02; 6. Sarah Daigneault, WWU, 15.98; 7. Katharine Lotze, CWU, 16.08.

400 Hurdles – Heat 1, 1. Kaitlyn Reid, WOU, 1:04.44; 2. Jennifer Pike, SPU, 1:05.53; 3. Kira Lewis, SPU, 1:06.60; 4. Amanda Rose, CWU, 1:09.79; 5. Sarah Daigneault, WWU, 1:10.14. Heat 2, 1. Ardrienna Everett, UAA, 1:02.37; 2. Natalie Nobbs, SPU, 1:05.22; 3. Michelle Howe, WWU, 1:07.25; 4. Raquel Gonzalez, CWU, 1:08.02; 5. Amy Ciaccio, NNU, 1:10.39.

MEN

Team Scores (through 7 of 21 events) - Western Washington 91, Central Washington 54, Western Oregon 54, Alaska Anchorage 42, Northwest Nazarene 17, Seattle Pacific 13, Montana State Billings 2.

Steeplechase - 1. Micah Chelimo, UAA, 9:02.79 (meet record, old 9:08.2, Ethan Barrons, WOU, 2005); 2. Alfred Kangogo, UAA, 9:07.94; 3. Chad Meis, SPU, 9:10.84; 4. Barak Watson, NNU, 9:13.42; 5. Dan Sprinkle, WOU, 9:35.23; 6. Kyle Johnson, WWU, 9:42.57; 7. Luke Hetrick, NNU, 9:47.45; 8. Neil Easter, NNU, 9:50.08.

10,000 - 1. Marko Cheseto, UAA, 31:23.03; 2. Jordan Welling, WWU, 31:36.70; 3. Blake Medhaug, WWU, 31:53.98; 4. Manuel Santos, CWU, 31:55.46; 5. William Ritekwiang, UAA, 31:59.97; 6. Greg Kubitz, WWU, 32:14.30; 7. Justin Karr, WOU, 32:22.25; 8. Braxton Jackson, WOU, 32:36.06.

Long Jump – 1. Demietrius Preston, UAA, 7.42 – 24-4 ¼; 2. Manny Melo, CWU, 6.75 – 22-1 ¾; 3. Jake Hyde, WOU, 6.74 – 22-1 ½; 4. Matson Hardie, WOU, 6.61 – 21-8 ¼; 5. Shane Gruger, WWU, 6.52 – 21-4 ¾; 6. Tim Clendaniel, WWU, 6.51 – 21-4 ¼; 7. Justin Felt, SPU, 6.39 – 20-11 ¾; 8. Robert Wegner, WOU, 6.38 – 20-11 ¼.

High Jump – 1. Keefe Brockman, WWU, 2.00 – 6-6 ¾; 2. Brennan Boyes, CWU, 1.95 – 6-4 ¾; 3. Josh Larson, WWU, 1.95 – 6-4 ¾; 4. Jonathan Hamilton, CWU, 1.90 – 6-2 ¾; 5. Robert Wegner, WOU, 1.90 – 6-2 ¾; 6. Brandon Roddewig, CWU, 1.90 – 6-2 ¾; 7. Ryan Brown, WWU, 1.80 – 5-10 ¾; 8. Lewis Meyers, CWU, 1.80 – 5-10 ¾.

Shot – 1. Jason Slowey, WOU, 16.46 – 54-0; 2. Ben Elder, WWU, 16.14 – 52-11 ½; 3. Tyler Fischer, CWU, 15.84 – 51 – 11 ¾; 4. Mike Jensen, CWU, 14.94 – 49-0 ¼; 5. Alex Harrison, WWU, 14.52 – 47-7 ¾; 6. Michael Hoffman, WWU, 14.29 – 46-10 ¾; 7. Daniel Ramirez, CWU, 14.28 – 46-10 ¼; 8. Jordan Fenters, NNU, 14.19 – 46-6 ¾.

Discus – 1. Ben Elder, WWU, 48.20 – 158-2; 2. Jason Slowey, WOU, 47.68 – 156-5; 3. Tyler Fischer, CWU, 47.46 – 155-8; 4. Michael Hoffman, WWU, 47.40 – 155-6; 5. Parker Stewart, WOU, 45.08 – 147-11; 6. Nelson Westlin, WWU, 44.80 – 147-0; 7. Nick Wilson, MSUB, 44.30 – 145-04; 8. Bryant Michaelson, WWU, 43.50 – 142-8.

Prelims

100 - Heat 1 , 1. Anthony Wright, CWU, 10.85; 2. Josh DeVaughn, SMU, 10.97; 3. Anthony Zackery, WWU, 10.97; 4. Shane Gruger, WWU, 11.00; 5. Bobby Alexander, WOU, 11.02; 6. Austen DeWolf, UAA, 11.05; 7. Derek Sepe, NNU, 11.18; 8. James Cho, CWU, 11.32. Heat 2 , 1. Alex Tilley, WWU, 10.75; 2. Kincaid Nichols, CWU, 10.77; 3. Demietrius Preston, UAA, 10.87; 4. Alex Bourne, WOU, 10.96; 5. Justin Thomsen, WWU, 11.06; 6. AJ Allen, UAA, 11.13; 7. Bryan Mack, CWU, 11.15; 8. Cameron Colby, NNU, 11.23.

200 - Heat 1, 1. Anthony Wright, CWU, 22.45; 2. Demietrius Preston, UAA, 22.47; 3. Scott Morrison, CWU, 22.52; 4. Ethan Hewitt, UAA, 22.67; 5. James McLaughlin, UAA, 22.72; 6. Nathan Diede, MSUB, 23.13. Heat 2, 1. Austen DeWolf, UAA, 22.05; 2. Ashtin Mott, WOU, 22.41; 3. Anthony Yakovich, WOU, 22.54; 4. Brandon Grant, UAA, 22.72; 5. Josh DeVaughn, SMU, 22.82; 6. Dustin Boyd, WOU, 22.84. Heat 3, 1. Kincaid Nichols, CWU, 21.89; 2. Shane Gruger, WWU, 22.15; 3. Alex Tilley, WWU, 22.22; 4. Matt Kaino, WOU, 22.60; 5. Matt Seel, CWU, 22.71; 6. AJ Allen, UAA, 23.93.

400 - Heat 1, 1. Ethan Hewitt, UAA, 47.79 (meet record, old 48.11, Ashtin Mott, WOU, 2008); 2. Scott Morrison, CWU, 48.94; 3. James McLaughlin, UAA, 49.19; 4. Toby David, WWU, 50.17; 5. Brandon Grant, UAA, 50.50; 6. Dan Hill, NNU, 50.61. Heat 2, 1. Matt Kaino, WOU, 48.71; 2. Ashtin Mott, WOU, 49.07; 3. Anthony Yakovich, WOU, 49.85; 4. Matt O'Connell, WWU, 50.20; 5. Bradley Truax, UAA, 51.01; 6. Kyle Fremd, CWU, 51.23.

800 - Heat 1, 1. Mike Schmidt, WOU, 1:52.93; 2. Jeff Long, WOU, 1:54.02; 3. Carson O'Brien, WOU, 1:54.45; 4. Kyle Larson, WOU, 1:54.52; 5. Joseph Patti, SMU, 1:54.80; 6. Justin Webb, NNU, 1:56.53; 7. Bradley Truax, UAA, 2:00.59; 8. Michael Brown, WOU, 2:03.89. Heat 2, 1. Nathan Seely, SPU, 1:53.94; 2. Alfred Kangogo, 1:54.50; 3. Nick Abraham, WWU, 1:55.06; 4. Tyson Vanderby, MSUB, 1:56.311; 5. Paul Rottich, UAA, 1:56.65; 6. Connor Kasler, WOU, 1:57.14; 7. Nathanael Sleight, SPU, 1:58.15; 8. Thomas Hill, UAA, 1:58.64.

110 Hurdles - Heat 1, 1. Jordan Werner, WOU, 15.09; 2. Andy Loscutoff, WOU, 15.29; 3. Alex Harrison, WWU, 15.38; 4. Andrew Venema, CWU, 15.94; 5. Brandon Roddewig, CWU, 16.56. Heat 2, 1. Anthony Hogan, CWU, 15.55; 2. Michael Najera, CWU, 15.93; 3. Tim Steiglitz, NNU, 16.35; 4. Thomas Steinke, CWU, 17.98.

400 Hurdles - Heat 1, 1. Maurus Hope, NNU, 53.25; 2. Ryan Endresen, SPU, 54.96; 3. Mark Hanson, NNU, 55.39; 4. Levi Grudzinski, WWU, 56.77; 5. Shane O'Connell, WOU, 57.15. Heat 2, 1. Andy Loscutoff, WOU, 55.07; 2. Phillip Villanueva, WWU, 55.32; 3. Michael Najera, CWU, 55.95; 4. Gabriel Morales, WWU, 56.38; 5. Andrew Venema, CWU, 59.23.