Washington schools and pros head to Cali to chase better marks at Mt SAC, Bryan Clay and Beach Invites...
Most of Washington's nine Division I and II schools are off to southern California for either the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, the Bryan Clay Invitational at Azusa Pacific, and the Beach Invitational hosted by Long Beach State, held at Cerritos College in Norwalk.
Action got underway Wednesday in Azusa with the multi-events portion of the Mt. SAC Relays, and the California Invitational at Azusa Pacific.
Washington's Jeremy Taiwo (above/photo courtesy University of Washington), competing in his first decathlon in almost two years, leads the field after the break with a first day score of 4151 points, ahead of Andy Lillejord of North Dakota at 3907, and 2007 world championships team member Jake Arnold at 3880.
The Huskies' Josh Gordon sits in seventh with a score of 3724.
Taiwo won his heat of the 100 at 10.91, and led a 1-2 finish in the long jump by the Dawgs, jumping 24-7 3/4 (7.51m), to Gordon's 23-2 3/4 (7.08m).
In the shot, Taiwo threw a safe 36-6 1/4 (11.13m) after fouling his first two attempts, while Gordon threw 36-4 1/4 (11.08m).
Taiwo came back to win the high jump at 6-11 3/4 (2.11m), with Gordon third at 6-4 3/4 (1.95m).
In the 400, Taiwo ran 49.15, while Gordon ran 51.19.
In the California Invitational section of the heptathlon, the Huskies' Shelby Williams is in 15th at 2984, while teammate Jaleecia Roland sits 20th with 2779.
Williams ran 15.35 in the 100 hurdles, with Roland running 15.65.
In the high jump, both Williams and Roland cleared 5-3 1/4 (1.61m).
Williams won her section of the shot put, throwing 40-4 (12.29m), while Roland threw 34-4 3/4 (10.48m).
In the 200, Williams ran 26.42, while Roland was clocked at 26.99.
The Huskies, Cougars, Eagles, Falcons, Vikings, Redhawks, and Saints will have some sort of presence at the Mt. SAC Relays, with the Huskies sending the largest contingent, and Saint Martin's only entering 1500 meter runner Joseph Patti.
Several pros with Washington ties are entered in what's billed as the world's largest track meet with over 7000 participants ranging from high schoolers to Olympians.
Among those pros entered are Brie Felnagle in the 1500, Ginnie Crawford in the 100, Mark Wieczorek and Colton Tully-Doyle in the 1500, Blessing Ufodiama in the triple jump, and Jeshua Anderson in the 400 hurdles.
Streaming coverage of the Mt. SAC Relays is available here via the Relays web site, with live results available here.
Action in the three-day Mt. SAC Relays gets underway Thursday with distance races taking center stage.
For the Cougars, those who did not make the trip to California are staying home to compete in the Cougar Invitational at Mooberry Track on Saturday. Gonzaga and Seattle University are sending groups of athletes to Eugene to compete at the Oregon Relays at Hayward Field Saturday.
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