March 10, 2007

Complete Results

TACOMA, Wash. - Two national provisional qualifying performances highlighted Western Washington University's first outdoor track and field competition of the season, as the Vikings competed in the University of Puget Sound Joe Peyton Invitational at Baker Stadium.

Reaching provisional marks for the NCAA Division II National Championships were Clara Cook (So., Wenatchee) in the women's high jump and Monica Gruszecki (Fr., Edmonds/Meadowdale) in the women's javelin.

Cook, an All-American last year, won the high jump with a meet-record jump of 5-6. She was also third in the 100-meter hurdles (16.69). Gruszecki won the javelin, having a meet-record throw of 146-10 on her first attempt, and surpassing 140 feet on multiple throws.

Michael Dean (Fr., Tacoma/Stadium) was the top performer for the Western men. Dean won the 200 in a meet-record time 22.43, and took the 100 in 11.07.

Western's other multiple winner was Heidi Dimmitt (So., Wenatchee), who won the women's 100 in 12.78, and led a 1-2-3 sweep in the 400 hurdles with a meet-record time of 65.18. Lindsay Lunderman (Fr., Tacoma/Franklin Pierce), who won the 100 hurdles (15.52), was second in the 400 hurdles (66.27), with Dani Seibert (So., Kirkland/Juanita) placing third (69.65).

Dimmitt and Lunderman also teamed with Amanda Thornton and Kathryn Mertens (Fr., Olympia) to place second in the 4x400 relay (4:09.57).

"It was a good meet, it's always good to get provisional marks," said Western coach Pee Wee Halsell. "It was a good competition for us to open the outdoor season."

Other victorious Vikings on the women's side were Christy Miller (So., Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly), who won the pole vault, clearing 10-11 3/4, and Kim Bascom (Sr., Camano Island/Stanwood), who was victorious in the triple jump (37-1/4) and second in the long jump (17-4 3/4).

The men had two other winners besides Dean. Matt O'Connell (Fr., Sammamish/Skyline) won the 400 in 51.09, with teammate Carl Johnson (So., Renton/Liberty) second (51.28); and Bryan Lucke (Jr., Snohomish/Monroe) won the pole vault by clearing 13-11 1/4.

Western will compete at the University of Washington Preview Outdoor on Friday and the Pacific Lutheran University Invitational on Saturday.