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MHCC athlete breaks own school record
The Advocate
Freshman Tyler Callahan broke his own MHCC javelin record Saturday with a throw of 65.61 meters at the Shotwell Classic at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash.
Callahan's throw also broke the Baker Stadium record at the University of Puget Sound.
Callahan was one of numerous first place Saints finishers, including two first-place finishes by sophomore Chris Zeller in the 200-meter dash (22.18) and 400-meter dash (49.49) and sophomore Erica Drake's first-place finish in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.52 seconds.
Other strong performances include sophomore Wes Hughes' second-place finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase (10:22.85), the women's 4x100 meter relay team's second-place finish (freshman Mariah Crumpler, freshman Laura Knudson, freshman Amy Kegler and Drake) with a time of 49.93 and the men's 4x400 meter relay team's third-place finish (sophomores Zach Young and Nick Mulick and freshmen Robert Hanke and Troy Prettyman) with a time of 3:30.64.
"The team did well but we really didn't enter this meet to load up on team success," said head coach Matt Hart. "Rather, we are still focused on having the individuals challenge themselves and make gains.
"The team is progressing well," he said, "We are gaining experience every meet. We are beginning to make the transition from gaining fitness to becoming more explosive."
Zeller said, "I was happy. The competition was pretty decent."
He said he feels that as an individual, he's satisfied with his progression through the season in the early going. "I'm comfortable where I am. I'm still looking for a breakthrough," he said.
"I'm running a lot better than last year. I definitely have a lot more confidence than last year."
Drake, said she couldn't have been more excited with her 100-meter dash victory, "It was the fastest I've ever run in my life. I was kind of in shock, I didn't know how to react," she said.
"My times are getting gradually better. I'm really excited so far," she said.
Drake added that at this point the competitive jitters are out and she can compete to the fullest.
The track and field team is scheduled to compete at Western Oregon University in Monmouth today and then return home to host the MHCC Multi-Meet on Monday and Tuesday.
In the Multi-Meet, only heptathletes and decathletes will be competing. The Saints will have four competitors in the meet: Hanke, Young, Zeller and freshman Whitney Swenson.
"I'm looking forward to this Friday," said Zeller on the upcoming meet, saying that the tough competition could help take him to the next level.
Hart said, "I hope to have a good weather day, allowing everyone an opportunity to compete well."
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