Yurkovich Surpasses 190 Feet in the Women's Javelin to Eclipse Own School Record

Friday, April 25

Eugene, Ore.

5 p.m.

University of Oregon

Oregon Relays (Presented by Oregon Community Credit Union)

Photo by: Rio Capper

Yurkovich Surpasses 190 Feet in the Women's Javelin to Eclipse Own School Record

04/26/08 | Track and Field

By: GoDucks.com

University of Oregon junior Rachel Yurkovich broke her own school record in the women's javelin on her first attempt of the afternoon to highlight the opening day of the Oregon Relays presented by the Oregon Community Credit Union Friday at Hayward Field.

The Newberg two-time NCAA All-American unloaded an effort of 191-1 to surpass her previous personal best of 189-11 from a year ago, and eclipse second-place finisher Hannah Warfield by almost 36 feet. Warfield finished with a best of 155-9.

Yurkovich's winning throw was better than any mark in the country posted prior to this weekend, with Minnesota's Ruby Radocai owning the nation's top women's javelin mark of 187-6.

“I just wanted to throw (well) and stay healthy,” Yurkovich said of her expectations entering the meet. “I did that so I'm happy. It felt good but hopefully I have more in me. I really didn't think it was going that far. I thought it would land somewhere around mid-180s.”

It marked only Yurkovich's third outdoor appearance of the season, with her revised schedule appearing to be sitting well with the two-time Pacific-10 Conference champion.

I like the fewer meets because I'm able to get more excited with opportunities to throw, Yurkovich said. This is my last meet before the Pac-10s and I know I only have three more meets before the (Olympic) Trials.”

Although her winning throw occurred before many of the day's crowd of 6,101 had a chance to reach to reach their seats, Yurkovich said the absence of a boisterous crowd didn't factor into her record performance.

“I really try not to notice,” Yurkovich admitted. “As long as my friends and family are here to watch me, that's all that matters.”

Otherwise, it was a day that allowed the Ducks' men and women to add six regional qualifiers to the fold in addition to working to improve technique.

Only four other Oregon athletes were able to post wins in their respective races ? Keshia Baker in the women's 200 B section, Leah Worthen in the women's 400 meters B section, Sarah Pearson in the second section of the women's 1,500, and Brianne Theisen in the B section of the women's 100 hurdles.

Kenny Klotz added a NCAA regional mark in the men's 1,500 meters to his ticket to the regional meet in the 5,000. Carlos Trujillo and Scott Wall both acquired trips to the regionals in the 5,000 meters.

On the women's side, Eugene senior Sarah Pearson added the 1,500 to her options after previously landing national collegiate qualifying marks in the 5,000. Joining the 5,000 field will be Elizabeth Bies, while Claire Michel has earned a regional trip in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Despite already reaching regional qualifying standards, sophomores A.J. Acosta and Nicole Blood were able to better their positions on lists in their respective events. Acosta clipped more than seven seconds off his best in the 5,000 with a fourth-place in 13:50.30. Blood finished second in the women's 1,500 meters in 4:18.55