5/9/2008 – OREGON TWILIGHT: Bruin Women Hit NCAA Provisional Mark in 4x400 at Hayward
EUGENE, Ore. – Ina big-time atmosphere that included a surprise appearance by U.S. presidential candidate Barak Obama, the George Fox University women’s 4x400 meter relay team came through with their own big performance, hitting an NCAA Division III provisional qualifying mark during the University of Oregon Twilight track and field meet Friday here at historic Hayward Field.
The Bruins’ team of JulieKay Brown, Irene Johnson, Mollie Honan and Lisa Mensonides ran a 3:53.48 to finish less than a tenth of a second behind Willamette University, which ran a 3:53.39. Both surpassed the NCAA mark needed of 3:56.00. The Willamette time is the 11th-best nationally and the George Fox mark is 12th-best.
The Bruins had a number of other strong efforts, which featured numerous Division I and top amateur and professional athletes. Showing the strength of the competition, Rachel Giffey-Brohaugh ran a 2:14.76 in the women’s 800 meter run, which is not her best time this spring but still beat the D-III provisional mark - and only finished 12th!
Mensonides hit a provisional time (but not her best time) in the 400 meter hurdles, finishing third in 1:03.95. Emily Hodgin was third in the long jump at 36-0.25/10.98m, and Jessica Morrison was right behind her in fourth at 34-8.25/10.57m. In the high jump, GFU assistant coach Michelle Forbes placed second with a height of 5-5/1/65m, while Katie Alaimo was fourth at 5-1/1.55m. Sarah Curry was sixth in the pole vault at 11-1.75/3.40m.
In men’s events, Jordan Ware placed fourth in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:57.40, Ryan MacKenzie was fifth in the 400 meter hurdles in 56.4, Jake Weber was fifth in the long jump at 21-5.25/6.53m, and Ryan Forbes was seventh in the pole vault at 14-1.25/4.30m.
The Bruins will be back in action Saturday in the John Knight Twilight meet at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, starting at 5:00 p.m.