WHAT'S ON TAP: OSU H-P, Vernacchia, Cougar Invite, Drake & Penn Relays...

All nine Washington Division I and II schools return to action this weekend, as the drive towards the conference, NCAA regional, and national championships begin.

Washington, Eastern Washington, and SeattleU will be joined by split squads from Western Washington, Seattle Pacific, and Saint Martin’s in Ccrvallis for the Oregon State University High Performance meet at the Whyte Track & Field Complex Friday and Saturday.

Friday’s portion of the OSU High Performance meet is stacked towards the distance events, as there are multiple heats in the 1500, steeple and 5000.  

A number of post-collegians with Washington ties are also entered in the two-day meet, most notably Pasco HS alum Marisa Howard (left/photo by Paul Merca) in the 800 and 1500; WSU alum Jeshua Anderson in both the 110 and 400 hurdles;  and Inglemoor HS alum Tansey Lystad, who is running in Friday’s steeplechase.

The link to live results is available here.

The remaining athletes from Saint Martin’s, Seattle Pacific, and a full squad from Central Washington heads north to Bellingham for Saturday’s Ralph Vernacchia invitational meet, hosted by Western Washington University at Civic Stadium, with events beginning at 9 am.

Meet information and the meet program are available here.

Washington State hosts the 17th annual Cougar Invitational at Mooberry Track on the WSU campus beginning at 10 am.

The meet features teams from Gonzaga, Idaho, Lewis-Clark State, Whitworth, Spokane CC and George Fox, in addition to the host Cougars.

The meet program is available here.

On the pro circuit, Washington alum and 2016 Puerto Rican Olympian Diamara Planell Cruz along with Hannah Fields of the Brooks Beasts are in Des Moines, Iowa to compete in the pro section of the Drake Relays Saturday.

In Philadelphia, Rainier Beach HS grad Michael Berry, along with Seattle resident Cas Loxsom are on the Team USA pool at the Penn Relays for the USA vs. The World portion of the meet Saturday. 

Loxsom is scheduled to run an 800m leg for one of the two USA teams in the sprint medley, while Berry is on the pool for a 400 leg on either the sprint medley or 4 x 400 relay.

The link to the Penn Relays site is available here.