UW alum Mel Lawrence finishes second in steeple at USATF Distance Classic...

LOS ANGELES—University of Washington alum Mel Lawrence (left/photo by Paul Merca) finished second in the women’s 3000 meter steeplechase to highlight competition in the USATF Distance Classic at Jack Kemp Stadium on the campus of Occidental College Thursday night.

Lawrence, who lives in Bend, Oregon, ran 9:44.80, as 2012 US Olympian Shalaya Kipp won in a time of 9:44.34.

Former Emerald Ridge HS standout and two-time world championships competitor Hassan Mead was third in the mens’ 1500, running 3:38.32, as Johnny Gregorek won in 3:36.95.

Brannon Kidder of the Brooks Beasts was 11th in 3:39.96.

Henry Wynne of the Brooks Beasts was fourth in the men’s 800, running 1:48.36, as Craig Engels of the Nike Oregon Project won in 1:47.40.

In the women’s 1500, fellow UW alum Eleanor Fulton was eighth in a time of 4:13.46, as Shannon Osika won in 4:09.38.

Savannah Colón of the Brooks Beasts was fourth in her heat of the women’s 1500, finishing in 4:18.30.

Complete results of the USATF Distance Classic are available here.

In Tucson, Arizona, Western Washington alum Bethany Drake was fifth in the women’s javelin at the Tucson Elite throws meet at Drachman Stadium, hosted by the University of Arizona.

Drake threw 165-0, well off her season best set two weeks ago at the Ken Shannon Invitational in Seattle.

Mexico’s Mariana Castro won with a best of 179-4 (54.67m).

In the men’s javelin, Washington alum Kyle Nielsen finished eighth with a best of 217-9 (66.39m), as David Carreon of Mexico won with a best of 267-2 (81.45m).

In the women's discus, Jordan Spradlin from Montesano, who is being redshirted this year at the University of Arizona, finished eighth with a toss of 158-4 (48.28m), a mark good enough to qualify for the USATF U-20 championships next month.

The meet resumes Saturday for the throwers.

Complete day 1 results of the Tucson Elite are available here.

NOTE:  Flash Results, USA Track & Field, and Finished Results contributed to this report.

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