By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Hannah Swanson (Jr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) of Willamette University won the women's 800-meter run on Saturday, March 4 at Charles Bowles Track, as the Bearcats hosted the Willamette Opener. Joining Willamette at the meet were Colorado College, Corban University, University of Portland and Western Oregon University, plus several club teams and unattached athletes.

Swanson took first place in the women's 800-meter run in 2:23.58. She took the lead about halfway through the first lap and went on to win by just under nine seconds. Annabel Driussi from Colorado College was second at 2:32.32.

Orion Ewell (So., Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS) of Willamette placed fourth in the men's 100-meter dash with a time of 11.32 seconds. Codi Blodgett from Western Oregon won the event in 11.04 seconds.

Riley Burton (Fr., Seattle, WA/Seattle Prep) recorded a time of 52.31 seconds for the Bearcats in the 400-meter dash while earning third place. Amadi Amaitsa from Corban took first place in 50.23 seconds.

In the men's 5,000-meter run, Keith Carlson (So., Bloomington, IN/Bainbridge HS) of WU placed seventh in 15:47.82, while teammate Michael Montague (Fr., San Diego, CA/Canyon Crest Academy) was eighth at 15:49.41.

Willamette's RoShaan Rogers (Jr., Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) finished fourth in the men's 110-meter hurdles at 16.33 seconds. He was just 0.02 behind Regan Shira of Corban, who took third in 16.31 seconds. Sullivan Stevens from Aureus Athletics won the 110 hurdles in 15.32 seconds.

Elijah Hall-Crockett (Fr., Phoenix, AZ/Cesar Chavez HS) of the Bearcats was fifth in the men's high jump. He cleared 5' 10.75".

Brian Peck (Fr., Reno, NV/Reno HS) from WU placed fifth in the men's long jump at 19' 6". He recorded his top distance on his final attempt.

Saige Swan (Fr., Crescent City, CA/Del Norte HS) and Josh Martin (Fr., Medford, OR/St. Mary's School) competed in the throwing events for the first time at the collegiate level. In the men's shot put, Swan was second with a top toss of 44' 4.50", while Martin placed third at 43' 8.75". In the hammer throw, Martin took second place at 129' 4.25" and Swan was third at 127' 7".

In the women's 400-meter dash, Maura Forbush (Sr., Hollister, CA/San Benito HS) was fourth for the Bearcats. She earned a time of 1:01.28. Madison Leek from University of Portland took first place in 56.84 seconds.

Teneah Rushen (Jr., Portland, OR/Franklin HS) of Willamette was fifth in the women's 200-meter dash with a time of 12.99 seconds. Grace Bley from Portland won the event in 12.57 seconds.

Ami Boucher (Sr., Concord, CA/Northgate HS) registered a time of 4:58.53 in the women's 1,500-meter run. Hazel Carr (So., Seattle, WA/The Northwest School) completed the 1,500 in 4:59.28. Boucher was 10th and Carr was 11th.

The women's 100-meter hurdles included Melissa Scott (Fr., Tustin, CA/Beckman HS) and Sallie Tucker (Fr., Buena Vista, CO/Buena Vista HS) for the Bearcats. Scott was third in 16.31 seconds and Tucker placed fourth in 16.49 seconds. Sara Madden of Western Oregon won the event in 16.14 seconds.

Jewell Sparks (So., San Francisco, CA/Lick Wilmerding HS) placed second for Willamette in the women's 400-meter hurdles. Her time was 1:07.69. Madden of WOU won the race in 1:06.41.

Angie Turpen (Sr., Alsea, OR/Alsea HS) of Willamette was second in the women's hammer throw at 143' 4.25". Marisa Hamilton (Sr., Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) was ffith at 123' 11.25". Alecia Falck from Western Oregon won the hammer with a distance of 147' 7.50".

Scott tied for first place in the women's pole vault. She matched the top height of 8' 8.25" that was also recorded by Katie Udell from Corban.

Alex Stacy (Fr., Loomis, CA/Del Oro HS) was third in the women's triple jump at 33' 4.50". Kathryn Pitts of Western Oregon won the triple jump at 35' 4.50".

Willamette's Hamilton finished third in the women's shot put with a top throw of 36' 7.75". Rachael Huffman from WOU was the winner at 42' 1.75", while Crystal Lynch of Corban took second at 37' 0".

Hope Duenas (Fr., Covina, CA/Covina HS) opened her WU career with a fourth place finish in the women's discus. Her best throw covered 118' 4".

The Bearcats will be back in action on Saturday, March 11 at the Pacific Preview in Forest Grove, Oregon. The meet is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. (PST).