Relay records lead Evergreen performances at Spring Break Open

Kellen Plomski on his way to a new 400 meter hurdle school record

March 22, 2008

SHORELINE, Wash. - Two school relay marks that have been on the Evergreen record books since 1985 fell today at the Club Northwest Spring Break Open Track and Field meet. Evergreen team members turned in four additional school records as well.

In the first running event of the day, Brian Rakestraw was the leading Evergreen finisher in the 3000 meters with a 7th place overall finish in 9:06. It was a personal best by two seconds for Rakestraw. Eric Jones, Tyler Luce and Nick Pace also competed in that event.

The men's 4 x 100 meter team of Jason Shoemaker, Ryan Lara,, Kellen Plomski and Miguel Pineda finished 2nd of two teams in the relay. Conference rival Northwest University was able to hold off a hard charging Pineda for a tenth of a second win. Evergreen's time of :45.35 shattered the previous school best of 53 seconds.

Sophomore Ana Casillas won the women's 1500 meters in 5:15.27, running in front the entire race. Later in the day, Casillas doubled back in the 3000 meters for 7th place in 11:30. Diann Leo, who earlier in the day set a personal best in the 5000 meters (21:36), finished 11th.

Lindsey Farah set two school records today. First breaking an 800 meter record that was set in 1986 by a second and a half. She placed 2nd overall with a time of 2:23.47. Farah again lowered her own 200 meter record to 28.05, placing sixth.

In his first attempt at the event, Kellen Plomski place 4th in the 400 meter hurdles in a time of 1:00.98. Ryan Lara again lowered his open 400 meter record time to a :50.98 finishing 4th and breaking 51 seconds for the first time. Jason Shoemaker finished 8th and 10th in the 100 and 200 meters respectively.

Middle distance events on the men's side had long distance ace Rakestraw honing his speed in the 800 meters to finish 9th in 2:11.15. Miguel Pineda jumped into the 1500 meters following a quick breather from his 4 x 100 meter relay anchor leg to finish 5th in 4:17.50. Also in the 1500 meters, Liam Rockwell won his heat with a 4:24.89 performance that placed him 10th overall.

The final event of the day, the 4 x 400 meter relays, capped off a great day of track and field for the Geoducks. The men's team of Plomski, Lara, Rockwell and Pineda finished fourth in 3:34.34 and chopped nearly 16 seconds off the 23 year old record.

Evergreen, who is on spring break this week, will send a few competitors to the UW Outdoor Preview this Friday night at Husky Stadium.

Meet Results