Freshman thrower breaks two school records at the “Ice Breaker” Meet

Two MHCC track and field records fell Saturday — one that stood for 30 years — as the Saints opened up their season at the Eric Anderson Icebreaker in McMinnville.

Freshman McKenzie Warren, the 2012 Oregon state champion in the shot put competing in her first college track and field meet, broke both the MHCC hammer throw and discus throw records. Warren placed first in the discus (44.24 meters), second in the hammer throw (48.04 meters) and second in the shot put (12.35 meters).

The old hammer throw record was set in 1998 by Suzy Hiderman, and the former discus record was set in 1983 by Carrie Burgher.

Though Warren quickly made history as a Saint, head coach Matt Hart said he expects her only to progress further as the season unfolds.

“We are quite confident she will continue to improve as well,” said Hart.

In the Saints’ men’s first outing, sophomore Chris Newell placed second in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase (10:02). The men’s 4×400-meter relay team, consisting of freshman Cody Beierle, sophomore LT Avants and  freshmen Eric Nelson and Caleb Coe, placed second (3:29). Sophomore Chris Un, who ran unattached at the meet due to eligibility issues, was the winner of the triple jump (13.78 meters).

In the throws, freshman Cody Quinton finished third in the discus with a mark of 40.18 meters. In the men’s javelin, sophomore Tyler Callahan, the current MHCC record holder who sat out last season for medical reasons, returned this year in full health, throwing for 57.45 meters to win the event.

On the women’s side, sophomore Christa Collmer was the winner of the women’s 800-meter race (2:24) and placed second in the 1500-meter (5:05). Freshman Charlene Manning placed third in the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Sophomore Molly Scoles placed second in the 400-meter race (1:01), with teammate Whitney Warren finishing in fourth (1:02).

The women’s 4×400-meter relay team, consisting of Scoles, Warren, Collmer and freshman Caitlyn Safely, who were the 2012 200-meter Oregon state champion, placed third with a time of 4:14. Freshman Kristi Kachel placed third in the long jump (4.95 meters). Sophomore Tori Dixson, who was the 2012 NWAACC shot put champion, took fourth in the discus (37.55 meters).

With numerous top finishers in throwing events, the Saints are looking to mirror the success of last season’s field event athletes.

Hart was not the least surprised by the talent displayed at the meet. “I knew we would be very strong in those events,” he said.

The track and field team’s next meet will be held at Lewis and Clark College at the L & C Invite, on March 22-23. On March 16, qualified athletes will compete in the Oregon Preview meet at the University of Oregon.