Ducks Wrap Up MPSF Weekend

SEATTLE, Wash. – The Oregon track and field team closed out the MPSF Championships Saturday with a pair of runner-up finishes from Susan Ejore (mile) and Cravon Gillespie (60m). During the two-day meet, the Ducks collected eight top-three results including two first-place performances from Friday's opener.

Next: The 2019 indoor season culminates March 8-9 with the NCAA Championships in Birmingham, Ala. National qualifiers—top 16 individuals, top 12 relays—are set to be announced early this upcoming week.

Back on the track after Friday's effort in the DMR, Ejore continued her strong weekend with a personal-best 4:34.83 in the mile. The effort keeps her among the NCAA top 16 and moves her up to No. 7 on the program's all-time performers' list. Teammate Amanda Gehrich was sixth in a personal best (4:41.44) of her.

Led by Gillespie, the Men of Oregon put together a 2-4-6 finish at 60 meters. Gillespie ran his second 6.62 of the weekend to win his heat and finish second overall in the timed final. Teammates Oraine Palmer (6.68) and Spenser Schmidt (6.81) were fourth and sixth, respectively.

All three Ducks entered in the women's weight throw turned in career-best performances, headlined by redshirt sophomore Kiana Phelps. The Kingsley, Iowa, native became the No. 4 performer in UO history with her best of 16.00m/52-6. She finished fourth in the event, followed by teammates Maddie Rabing and Ronna Stone.

Phelps: 16.00m/52-6 – No. 4 UO history
Rabing: 15.45m/50-8.25 – No. 6 UO history
Stone: 14.92m/48-11.5 – NO. 9 UO history

In her MPSF meet debut, freshman Lexi Ellis finished third in the triple jump. She began the competition with a PR of 12.60m in the opening round but extended that mark to 12.75m/41-10 in the fourth round. With the mark, she also became the No. 3 performer in UO history in the event.

The Ducks placed four inside the top 11 of the men's 3,000 meters with James West and Cooper Teare leading the charge in third and fourth, respectively. West (7:51.18), Jackson Mestler (7:57.72) and Jack Yearian (8:01.20) all registered PRs in the race.

Notable: Charlie Hunter led a 4-5-7 finish for the Ducks at 800 meters … time of 1:49.85 is No. 10 outing in program history … Jasmin Reed was the Ducks' top finisher at 60 meters (fourth place) … Emily Sloan finished fifth in the 60-meter hurdles … collectively, the Ducks tallied 14 personal bests and seven top-10 UO marks on day two of the MPSF Championships.

Saturday PRs
Phily Bowden (3,000m) – 9:20.81
Carmela Cardama Baez (3,000m) – 9:09.51
Susan Ejore (mile) – 4:34.83
Lexi Ellis (triple jump) – 12.75m/41-10
Amanda Gehrich (mile) – 4:41.44
Jonathan Harvey (400m) – 47.79
Carly Kleefeld (800m) – 2:15.23
Jackson Mestler (3,000m) – 7:57.72
Jacob Miller (400m) – 48.05
Kiana Phelps (shot put) – 16.00m/52-6
Maddie Rabing – 15.45m/50-8.25
Ronna Stone – 14.92m/48-11.5
James West (3,000m) – 7:51.18
Jack Yearian (3,000m) – 8:01.20

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