In the final Track and Field event of the season, three lone Logger athletes represented Puget Sound at the Pacific Twilight Meet on May 4 in Forest Grove, Ore., home of Pacific University.
Junior Joe Cerne (Enumclaw, Wash.) finished 15th in the discus competition, throwing the discus 36.99 meters (121 feet and 4 inches). He also competed in the pole vault event, but no-heighted with the bar over 13 feet.
Freshman Elizabeth King (Portland, Ore.) reached new heights in the pole vault competition, achieving a season-high score by clearing 3.37 meters to clinch a third place finish.
Junior sprinter Alicia Burns (Spokane Valley, Wash.) came in eighth in the 800-meter race with a time of 2:20.01. The meet proved to be a valuable learning experience for her.
“At the Pacific Twilight Meet, I went into the race a little intimidated by how fast my competitors were. I still ran my third-fastest time of the season, but had I gone in with more confidence I think I could have run a smarter race.
“This was an important lesson to learn and running in that meet has given me motivation to work as hard as I can in the off season in order to prepare myself for cross country and the next track season,” Burns said.
Fortunately for Puget Sound track and field, the season ended on a positive note when considering their solid performance at the Northwest Conference Championships several weeks ago.
“I thought the season went well overall, especially with such a strong finish at conference. My mindset about racing has transformed over the last three years, and I think this season in particular has set me up to have success in the future,” Burns said.
Although the season is now technically over for most of the track and field athletes, Cerne may have a shot at clinching a decathlon spot in the NCAA Outdoor Championships May 23-25 in LaCrosse, Wis.
Unfortunately, he will have to wait until selections are announced on May 19.
For more on Puget Sound track and field, please visit Logger Athletics.
