By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University throwers Josh Clothier (Jr., Walla Walla, WA/Walla Walla HS) and Trevor Bassett-Smith (Sr., Keizer, OR/McNary HS/Western Oregon Univ.) each recorded an NCAA Division III provisional qualifying mark on Thursday, May 13, as the Bearcats hosted three area teams at the Charles Bowles Track. Also competing in the meet were George Fox University, Linfield College and Western Oregon University.

Clothier achieved a personal record and an NCAA Division III provisional qualifying throw of 50' 10.25" in the shot put. His previous top throw, set earlier this season, was 50' 6.25". The provisional standard is 50' 8.25".

Bassett-Smith (Sr., Keizer, OR/McNary HS) improved his NCAA Division III provisional qualifying mark in the hammer throw. His top throw at Thursday's meet set a personal record and covered 180' 5". His previous provisional qualifying distance was 178' 10" at the Oregon Twilight on May 8.

Other top throws for the Willamette men's team were earned by David Oppat (Jr., Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) and Steve Collins (Sr., Zillah, WA/Zillah HS).

Oppat threw the shot 50' 5.50", just 1.25 inches short of his personal best of 50' 6.75" set at the Pacific Twilight on May 1. Collins earned a new personal record in the hammer with a toss of 169' 2". His previous top mark was 167' 6".

For the Bearcat women's team, Jennifer Luecht (Sr., Milwaukie, OR/Rex Putnam HS) ran the 400-meter dash in 58.02 seconds and completed the 200-meter dash in 25.96 seconds. Luecht set an NCAA provisional qualifying time in the 400 earlier this season.

The Bearcats also received solid times from Jaela Dinsmore (So., Hines, OR/Burns HS) in the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter dash. She crossed the finish line in 26.71 seconds in the 200 and was timed at 1:00.01 in the 400.

Christina Edholm (Sr., Pleasanton, CA/Foothill HS) won the shot put. She registered a career-best distance of 40' 8.2.5". Her previous top throw was 40' 3.50" earlier this spring. Edholm also threw the discus on Thursday and achieved a toss of 111' 5".

Willamette will compete at home again on Tuesday, May 18 at the WU Last Chance. It will be the final opportunity for the Bearcats and other area athletes to earn or improve qualifying marks for the NCAA Division III National Championships, which will be held in Berea, Ohio, on May 27-29.