Friday, May 13, 2016

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Josh Koch’s first Division II conference meet could have not have gone better so far as the Concordia sophomore won two championships and set a meet record on day one of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held at Western Oregon University’s McArthur Field.

Koch captured his second and third individual championships of the season to lead six championships crowned on Friday. He opened his day with a win in the discus, throwing 165 feet, 11.5 inches, and then came back to break the championships record with his effort of 59 feet, 8.5 inches in the shot put. Koch’s performance surpassed the previous record of 59 feet, 7 inches, set by Central Washington’s Frank Catelli in 2008.

Friday’s performance included a pair of repeat winners. Northwest Nazarene’s Payton Lewis made it two pole vault titles in as many years as the sophomore win with a mark of 16 feet, 1.75 inches, leading a sweep of the top three places for the Crusaders. Alaska Anchorage’s Victor Samoei won his second consecutive title in the 10,000 meters, leading four Seawolves who crossed the line virtually together with a time of 31:38.86.

With the top-four sweep of the 10,000 meters, Alaska Anchorage made sure they kept pace with Western Washington in the team competition. The Vikings hold the lead after the first day with 50 points with Alaska Anchorage second with 47 points. Central Washington is third with 37 points. The bulk of Western Washington’s first day points came in the steeplechase with Andrew Wise placing second in 9:13.00 and Matt Lutz placing third in 9:13.00.

The two Vikings’ steeplechasers were outdistances by Montana State Billings senior Robert Peterson, who won in a time of 8:59.23. The time ranks Peterson No. 3 on the GNAC all-time list and makes him just the third outdoor conference champion in MSUB history.

Seattle Pacific sophomore Peyton Harris was a surprise winner in the long jump, with his winning leap of 23 feet, 5.5 inches bettering second place Kevin Yates of Western Washington by a quarter inch. Harris and Maliea Luquin allowed the Falcons’ a sweep of the men’s and women’s long jump champions.

Western Washington brings three of the top qualifiers into Saturday’s running event finals. Senior Alex Donigian is in position to defend both of his titles, running the top qualifying times of 10.65 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.44 seconds in the 200 meters. Senior Travis Milbrandt is also positioned for a repeat with his top time of 14.48 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles.

Defending 800-meter champion Badane Sultessa ran the top qualifying time in the 800 meters, running 1:51.33 as he looks to defend his title. Alaska Anchorage’s Liam Lindsay is the top qualifier in the 400 meters with a time of 48.05 seconds and Central Washington’s Bernari Sternen is the top qualifier in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 53.79 seconds.

Action on the final day of the GNAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships will begin at 9 a.m., on Saturday with the men’s hammer. Field event finals will be contested in the high jump, triple jump and the javelin. Running events will begin at 11 a.m.