The student news site of Linfield University

The Linfield Review

The student news site of Linfield University

The Linfield Review

The student news site of Linfield University

The Linfield Review

Teams rack up firsts in invitational

Dominic Baez

News editor

Linfield track and field athletes stormed the Eldon Fix Track at the Lewis & Clark College Invitational on April 12, proving a little warm weather, some determination and raw talent were more than enough to show the other schools why the Wildcats are a force to be reckoned with.

The Linfield men placed second overall at the meet, and several women dominated.

Senior Casey Stepan set a furious pace for the 800-meter run; she took first place and was able to clock her fastest time yet at 2:17.82.

“It was the first warm meet of the year and that really helped,” Stepan said. “I was looking to sharpen up for conference, and I was hoping to break my (record) of 2:18 for the 800-meter run.”

This was the first time Stepan ran the 800 this year. For the Northwest Conference Championships she will take part in the steeplechase, 1500 and 4 by 400 relay.

Stepan wasn’t the only stellar female athlete who got to strut her stuff at the invitational.

Freshman Brooke Carstensen placed first in the women’s pole vault.

“I knew a lot of the girls at the meet,” Carstensen said. “I still wanted to beat them, though. When you step on the runway, it doesn’t matter who is there.”

Carstensen said her 3.37-meter jump tied her personal best from high school and is currently her season best.

Freshman Brooke Bekkedahl took first in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:05.65.

Though more women Wildcats placed first in their events, the men weren’t far behind.

Sophomore Jeremy Lovell placed second in the men’s javelin event, throwing 54.97. He said this was a good distance considering an injury has restricted his participation this season.

“I felt like I came out strong, and I’m right back in it,” he said. “I’m happy with (my throw), but I know I can do better.”

Lovell said he plans to participate in the javelin at the championships.

Other top finishers included freshman Mike Eldredge, who earned second place in the 110 hurdles, with a time of 16.07; junior Gabe Haberly, who finished third in the men’s pole vault jumping 4.23; and junior Mat Strum, who placed third in the 200 dash, running it in 22.57.

“This week I got the chance to run against (some) good talent,” Strum said. “I was hoping for a better time, but I feel ready to go for this week’s championship.”

The next event for the Wildcats is the NWC Championships on April 18 and 19 at George Fox University.

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