For the first time since 1987, the Oregon State University track team will participate in a track meet and Mt. Hood Community College was chosen to have the honor of hosting them at the Mt. Hood Open this weekend.

Eighteen years ago, OSU experienced budget concerns and the school decided to cut their cross country and track and field programs. The Beavers earned a national championship for cross country in the 1960s. According to MHCC head track coach Tony Baracco, they replaced both of the discontinued programs with soccer, which actually ended-up costing more for the school in the long run. The teams were reinstated this year and will have their first taste of competition today at the Mt. Hood track.

“We are excited to have them here,” said Baracco. Seventeen schools will be here and it should be one of the best meets in the whole Northwest this weekend. We will also have some incredible weather for it.”

Of the schools competing this weekend, some of the Saints biggest competitors will be the University of Portland, Eastern Oregon and Portland State University and Western Oregon University, who have former Mt. Hood athletes competing at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.

Baracco thinks the key Saints at the Open will bepole-vaulter Jessie Gallegher and the male throwers as a whole. “We have some people that can compete quite well, but it will be challenging,” he said.

Long distance runner Alex Morales, who is competing in the 5000m and 10000m today and the 3000m on Saturday, hopes to achieve his personal goals this weekend. “I ran the 5000 last year in 16 minutes and five seconds. This year I want to run it in 15 minutes,” he said. “I hope to be the best.”

Baracco hopes to see a large attendance at the Mt. Hood Open. “Anybody that has any interest in track and field can come and watch us. It’s going to be a top-flight and top-notch competition with very good athletes.”

Last Friday, March 5, the teams participated in their first meet in McMinnville at the Linfield Icebreaker. At the meet, Gallegher won the pole-vault and Vase Georgiev won the long jump.

On Saturday, March 19, the Saints are off to Sacramento, Calif. to participate in the Panther Open, and will also compete at the Willamette Invite in Salem, Friday-Saturday, April 1-2.