School records shattered at PLU's Salzman Invitational!
Saturday, March 13, 2004
TACOMA, WA -- Though both the Evergreen Men's and Women's Track and Field squad were undoubtedly the smallest teams competing at today's Salzman Invitational Track & Field meet, the three athletes entered made an impact with their presence. In men's competition, both Nathan Chambers and Josh Klimek placed in their events, setting personal bests and shattering former Evergreen records. Additionally, the two sophomores scored six points for the Geoducks in two of the three events they entered. Freshman Liesl Plomski had a successful double in her first meet of the year.
Nathan Chambers started the day with his debut in the 3000 meter steeplechase. His time of 10:13.10 earned him sixth place and bested the former school record of 11:08 set by Todd Denny in 1986. "My water barrier technique was horrible!" Chambers exclaimed after the race. He was referring to the most difficult of the three-foot high wood barriers athletes must hurdle during the event. "There's nowhere in the Olympia area to practice real water jumps." He added. Of the five barriers per lap, the water jump is the most challenging, requiring athletes to step onto the barrier and leap out and over the water pit. Ideally a steeplechaser should finish with one shoe dry. Only the best in the world avoid the water completely. Chambers admittedly had two very wet feet. Coach Craig Dickson has Nathan practice over standard hurdles and train with former Montana State steeplechase standout Miguel Galeana once a week.
"Miguel built his own wood barrier and brought it to Evergreen to practice the water pit", notes Dickson who is a friend and co-worker of Miguel. Galeana, running unattached in today's meet, won the steeple in 9:27. Chambers also ran the 800 meters two hours later placing third in his heat and seventeenth overall while coming within a second of the school record in that event.
Teammate Klimek also knocked down a long-standing Evergreen record. His clocking of 15:42.60 in the 5,000 meters broke John Kaiser's record of 15:50.0 set in 1986 at WWU. It was the first time Josh had broken the 16:00 mark. He placed eighth overall in the event
The lone female entered for Evergreen, Liesl Plomski scored a couple of personal bests in both the 1,500 meters and the 800 meters. In her first collegiate track meet she ran 5:25.30 (11th place) and 2:35.60 (14th place) in her respective events.
Next on the schedule for Evergreen Track will be the Spring Break Open on March 27th in Edmonds, WA. Additionally, team member Kyle Skaggs will attempt to run a NAIA National Meet qualifying mark in the marathon by running the Whidbey Island Marathon on April 4th.
For any further questions about Evergreen Track and Field please contact coach Dickson at 867-6741.