5/5/2008 – WILLAMETTE MULTIS: Laack, Leighty Hit NCAA Provisional Marks in Willamette Heptathlon
Willamette Multi-Events Results (M&W)
SALEM, Ore. – Terah Laack of George Fox University hit an NCAA Division III provisional qualifying mark with a score of 4,350 points while finishing fourth overall in the heptathlon, and the Bruins’ Melissa Leighty hit a provisional mark in the women’s 100 meter hurdles with a time of 14.68 in the Willamette University Multi-Events Sunday and Monday here at the Charles Bowles Track.
Laack’s overall score, which was fourth in the meet, topped the provisional mark of 4,100 points and is the 12th-best score in the nation at this time. Her best event was the 800 meter run, in which she finished second in 2:21.27. She also placed third in the long jump with a distance of 16-2.5/4.94m, and tied for third in the high jump at 4-7/1.40m.
Leighty’s time in the hurdles was second in the meet and 13th-best in the nation thus far. She also placed second in the long jump at 16-7.75/5.07m, and won the 200 meter dash in 25.86. Her total score of 3,815 points was fifth in the meet. The Bruins’ Irene Johnson also competed, placing seventh with 3,394 points.
Bridget Johnson of Team XO won the Willamette heptathlon with a score of 4,974, followed by Brooke Smith of Willamette with 4,462 and Caitlin McGrane of the University of Puget Sound with 4,374. Smith and McGrane both hit the NCAA provisional mark.
In the men’s decathlon, Adam Haldorson was the only Bruin to complete all 10 events, scoring 5,050 points to place fifth. His best event was the 1,500 meter run as he finished second with a time of 4:40.67. Ryan Forbes and David Dillow also competed for the Bruins on the first day, but not on the second.
Josh Lovell of Linfield College was the Willamette decathlon winner with 6,798 points, while Jeremy Lovell of Linfield was second with 6,630. Both qualified automatically for the NCAA National Championships by topping the automatic mark of 6,600 points, with Josh’s score the 2nd-best nationally and Jeremy’s the 7th-best. The nation’s best score belongs to the Bruins’ own Ben Dillow, who scored 6,920 points in the Point Loma Nazarene University Multi-Events on March 20-21.
This Friday, the Bruins will compete in the University of Oregon Twilight meet at 4:00 p.m. at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.