SPOKANE, Wash. – Eastern Oregon University Indoor Track and Field returned to action at the Podium in Spokane, Washington on Saturday. Competing at the 2024 Inland Northwest Invitational, Eastern held their own against some strong competition including several NCAA Division I schools. When the dust settled the Mountaineers picked up three "B" Standards and three "A" Standards on the day.
 
Looking ahead, Eastern will host the 2024 Lew Thorne Invite this coming Saturday at the EOU Field House in La Grande. Future updates will be provided on eousports.com.
 
WOMEN:
In track events, sophomore Karina DeYoung from Meridian, Idaho, made a mark in the 60 Meter Dash prelims with a time of 7.98, securing her a spot in the EOU All-Time Top 10 for the event at 9th place, just behind Katie Brown. DeYoung battled through the finals, finishing 8th overall against a field of NCAA Division I opponents.
 
In the 800 Meter Run, junior Lauryn Mitchell from Midvale, Idaho, narrowly missed an NAIA "B" Standard and a personal record, finishing 5th against tough NCAA Division I competition.
 
Moving to field events, senior Kenna Woodward from Prineville, OR, had a standout performance in the women's weight throw, achieving a season-best mark of 53' 9.25". Woodward's effort earned her an NAIA "A" Standard and a commendable second-place finish, narrowly trailing only a NCAA Division I competitor.
 
In the high jump, sophomore Elizabeth Grandle from Molalla, OR, set a new personal record, clearing 5' 6" for a second-place finish, earning an "A" Standard and marking another jump for the second-year athlete.
 
MEN:
In track events, Hunter Nichols showcased put together a strong effort in the 1 Mile Run, earning an NAIA "B" Standard and a personal record with a time of 4:16.42. The Heppner native secured the No. 4 spot in the Program all-time top 5, just behind Doug Benson. Winston Telford and Justin Ash also delivered impressive performances in the 1 Mile Run, finishing 6th and 7th, respectively.
 
In the 800 Meter Run, senior Jonathan Wind narrowly missed an NAIA "B" Standard but secured a 7th place finish against a competitive field of NCAA Division I and Division II athletes.
 
 
Junior Osman Osman from Boise, ID, continued his outstanding indoor season, achieving a "B" Standard time of 21.78 seconds in the 200 Meter Dash. Osman's time was not only a new personal record but also positioned him as second all-time in the EOU record book for the event.
 
The 4x400 Meter Relay team, composed of Mason Nichols, DJ Wilson, James Connally, and Osman Osman, clinched victory with a time of 3:21.55, narrowly missing a "B" Standard and moving up to 4th all time in the EOU top-10 for the event.
 
In field events, sophomore Mark Church from Fruitland, ID, had a massive day in the weight throw, setting a personal record with a throw of 56' 10". Church's performance secured a second-place finish and an NAIA "A" Standard, ranking 6th all-time in EOU Track and Field history for the event.
 
Junior Tyler Jones from Richland, Wash., earned an NAIA "B" Standard in the high jump with a winning jump of 6' 7.5", tying his personal record.