April 19, 2003

Complete Results

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Western Washington University women's javelin thrower Stacey Hopkins (Jr., Sammamish/Eastlake) bettered her NCAA Division II national provisional qualifying mark by over a foot with a toss of 148-4 and two other Vikings had provisional qualifying efforts at the Central Washington University Spike Arlt Invitational Track and Field meet on Saturday at Tomlinson Stadium.

Hopkins throw, her first of the day, was a personal best. It won the event by over six inches and ranks fifth among the school's top 10. She had a qualifying throw of 137-0 two weeks ago.

Western's Ashlee Vincent (So., Bellingham/Squalicum) was a provisional qualifier in her second event, winning the women's 3,000 meters in 9:53.04, just over a second in front of Central's Alicen Maier (9:54.32). Vincent had been a qualifier in the 5,000 previously this spring.

And Viking freshman Andrea Kreft (Lake Stevens) was a provisional qualifier in the women's pole vault, clearing 11-3 to place fifth.

Western Oregon University placed first in both the men's and women's team standings, winning the men's title 231-1/2 to 128 over Central and edging Seattle Pacific for the women's crown, 152 to 149. Eleven schools competed in both divisions.

Western placed third in the women's division with 133 points and fourth in the men's division with 101-1/2 points.

"It really wasn't our intent (to go for team titles)," said Western coach Pee Wee Halsell, whose squad already has taken top honors at both the Pacific Lutheran Invitational and its own Viking Invitational this season. "We just wanted to come in and compete, and let some of our people heal up."

Dania Swosinski (Jr., Tacoma/Wilson) placed second in both the women's 200 (26.08) and 400 (57.25), and helped the 4x100 relay (48.24) to victory. That quartet also included Melissa Behrens (Jr., Redmond/Eastlake), who placed third in the 100 (12.84), and Dani Reid (Fr., Spokane/North Central), who was third in the 100 hurdles (15.75).

In all, Western won six events. The other three winners were Lisa Pearl (So., Kenmore/Inglemoor) in the women's 5,000 (18:07.21), Hunter Verner (So., Nashville, TN) in the men's pole vault (15-3) and Jeff Word (Fr., Sequim) in the men's high jump (6-4).

Jessica Telleria (Fr., Boise, ID/Capital) placed second in the women's discus (124-10) as did the men's 4x100 relay (42.73), and Jeff Luckstead (Fr., Walla Walla) finished third in the men's 110 hurdles (15.42).

Western will send some athletes to the University of Oregon Invitational next Saturday, with the balance of the squad competing at the Western Oregon University Invitational.