Brooks Beasts' Josh Kerr & Nia Akins get wins at Big Friendly II...

Josh Kerr (904) of the Brooks Beasts wins the mens 1000m
over Seattle resident Sam Prakel (901)
Tim Healy/Portland Track photo

BLUE RIVER, Oregon--Competing in a venue approximately 43 miles east of Eugene, members of the Brooks Beasts, along with the Nike Oregon TC Elite, Pete Julian's Portland based Nike-sponsored group, the Bend-based Oiselle Little Wing team, members of UW coach Andy Powell's pro group, plus a few unattached athletes ran in Friday night's Big Friendly II staged by Portland Track.

The McKenzie Community Track & Field complex, just off the edge of the McKenzie River and the Willamette National Forest hosted the meet, which was kept secret to the public to discourage attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All participants, including coaches and officials were tested twice before the meet.

Only three photographers and DyeStat editor Doug Binder were credentialed by Portland Track for the event, in keeping with Oregon & Lane County's Phase 2 requirements.

2019 world championships 1500m finalist Josh Kerr of the Brooks Beasts held off a challenge by Seattle resident Sam Prakel to win the men's 1000 meters in 2:17.60 to 2:18.15.

Those marks are the second and third fastest times in the world so far this season.

UW grad transfer Dustin Nading, the former NCAA D2 1500m champ from Western Oregon was fifth in 2:22.25.

In the men's 600, Nijel Amos of Botswana & the Nike OTC Elite won in 1:15.86, the fastest time in the world this season.

Drew Windle of the Brooks Beasts was third in 1:17.59, while UW freshman Daniel Maton was fourth in 1:19.63.

Penn graduate and new Brooks Beast member Nia Akins won the women's 600 in 1:27.20, the second fastest time in the world this season.

Karisa Nelson of the Beasts was third in the women's 1000, running 2:40.92, as Germany's Konstanze Klosterhalfen won in 2:37.05, the fastest time in the world this season. In fact, Klosterhalfen, second place Rebecca Mehra (2:38.02) and Nelson ran the three fastest marks in the world.

Olympian Shannon Rowbury of Pete Julian's Nike group won the women's 3000 in an American leading time of 8:40.26, with UW alum Eleanor Fulton second in 9:13.94. UW senior Katie Rainsberger was third in 9:18.18, and Husky volunteer coach and Oregon alum Alli Cash was fourth in 9:26.21.

In the men's 3000, 2019 world championships 1500m finalist Craig Engels of Pete Julian's Nike squad took the win in 7:53.28, with Henry Wynne of the Brooks Beasts third in 8:00.07.

You can watch the replay of the meet below.



Complete results of The Big Friendly II are available here.

NOTE: Portland Track contributed to this report.

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