Oregon State
Willamette Invitational
Track and Field Finish Competition at Willamette Invite
March 31, 2012 | Women's Track & Field
March 31, 2012
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State track and field team finished the first day of competition at the Willamette Invitational with several strong performances in the distance events.
In her first competition of the 2011-2012 academic year, Emily LaValley won the 1,500 meter race B heat on Friday evening with a time of 4:40.74. Also racing in her first competition since the cross country season, Natosha Buruse finished in sixth place in the 1,500 meter run B heat with a time of 4:52.67.
“Emily ran extremely well and had a really positive start,” head coach Kelly Sullivan said. “It was her first track race in 22 months. It was great to see her back and it will be fun to see what she can do.”
Sarah Olson finished in third place in the C heat of the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:54.12. Ashley Mayfield made her track debut finishing in seventh place in the C heat with a time of 4:54.89. This is the third meet in a row that Olson has improved her 1,500 meter time.
Latane Cox and Shannon Mahoney finished together in section C finishing sixth and seventh. Raelyn Robinson finished in 12th to round out the Beavers in the 1,500 meters. Audrey Botti also competed for the first time this season in another section of the 1,500 meter run placing 10th with a time of 4:45.23.
Sabrah de Voir had a strong finish in the 5,000 meter run B heat with a fifth place finish and a time of 18:10.42. Sandra Martinez finished in 12th place in the 5,000 meters main heat with a time of 17:41.50 and Emily Wheeler finished in 23rd place with a time of 18:38.09.
Hannah Soza-Hodgkinson made her return to the track this weekend running in the 5,000 meter race as an unattached runner. She finished in 22nd place with a time of 18:36.19.
“There were lots of girls today who had their first running competition in a long while,” Sullivan said. “They are all competitive and have goals and we are just really optimistic heading into the rest of the spring. We are really proud because it has been really challenging.”
The Hunt sisters both competed in the 800 meter run at the Willamette Invitational. Taylor Hunt placed first in her section with a time of 2:18.09, while Haley Hunt finished in 8th place with a time of 2:23.14. This is the second time this season that Taylor Hunt has either won her section in the 800 meter or won the event.
The Oregon State high jumpers had a strong day with Kristin Oenning finishing in second place overall in the women's high jump. She finished with a mark of 5-04.25, which was her highest jump of the season.
“It was pretty wet and cold this morning and for her to get her collegiate best in those conditions is really positive, and she has been really consistent this year and it has been fun to watch her.”
The Beavers will return to action on April 6-7 to compete at the SF Distance Carnival and the Stanford Invitational.
Oregon State Results
800 Meter Run
1 Taylor Hunt, 2:18.09
12 Haley Hunt, 2:23.14
1,500 Meter Run
10 Audrey Botti, 4:45.23
1,500 Meter Run B Heat
1 Emily LaValley, 4:40.74
6 Natosha Buruse, 4:52.67
1,500 Meter Run C Heat
3 Sarah Olson, 4:54.12
Ashley Mayfield, 4:54.89
6 Latane Cox, 4:57.47
7 Shannon Mahoney, 5:00.31
9 Whitney Pitman, 5:05.59
12 Raelyn Robinson, 5:08.17
5,000 Meter Run B Heat
5 Sabrah de Voir, 18:10.42
5,000 Meter Run
12 Sandra Martinez, 17:41.50
22 Hannah Soza-Hodgkinson, 18:36.19
23 Emily Wheeler, 18:38.09
Women's High Jump
2 Kristin Oenning, 5-04.25
Players Mentioned
