EUGENE, Ore. – Jenna Prandini started what could be a very fast weekend for the Oregon track and field team by setting a school record in the 200 meters, Friday, as the Ducks competed at the Don Kirby Elite (Albuquerque, N.M.) and the Husky Classic (Seattle).
Prandini cruised to a time of 22.87 breaking the previous school record of 22.92 set by Phyllis Francis last season. The time is the best in the world this season, beating out Texas Tech’s Cierra White who ran 22.98 on the same track last weekend.
“It was a great opener for her,” said head coach Robert Johnson. “The sky is the limit so we’ll go back and re-tool and work on some things but obviously coach (Curtis) Taylor is doing some great things and has her on the right track.”
Prandini was joined by freshman Ariana Washington who was made her season debut in the 200 as well. Washington crossed the finish line in 23.27, finishing third with the fourth-fastest time in school history and putting herself in position to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
The Men of Oregon found success in the 200 as well as three Ducks moved up the school’s record book. Arthur Delaney finished fifth by running a personal best of 21.16 which is third in school history. Teammates Marcus Chambers(21.39) and Ben Thiel (21.43) etched their names in the record book with the fifth- and eighth-fastest times in school history.
Jasmine Todd set a season best during her win in the long jump, going 21-1.25 (6.43m) on her second attempt. The distance is seventh-best in the country this season and gives Oregon two competitors in the top 10 as Jenna Prandini’s mark of 21-2.5 currently sits third.
A pair of men’s long jumpers set season-best marks in New Mexico as well, with Trevor Ferguson finishing third after jumping 24-9.75 (7.56m) on his third attempt, tying him with Vernell Warren for fifth on the Oregon all-time list, the longest since 2010. Meanwhile, freshman Nate Moore reached 24-7.25 (7.50m) for a fifth-place finish.
Greg Skipper won the men’s weight throw at the Husky Classic with a distance of 68-10.75 (21.00m).
Molly Grabill set a personal best in the 5,000 while placing sixth at the Husky Classic. The junior, who was a second-team All-American in the event last season, finished in 15:59.64 making it two years in a row that she has set a personal record in the 5,000 at the Husky Classic.
Jordan Latt finished second in the unseeded section of the 400, setting an indoor personal record of 47.97.
The Ducks will continue tomorrow in both Seattle and Albuquerque, as well as at the Millrose Games in New York, where the men’s distance team will compete in both the 3,000 and the Wanamaker Mile. Action is slated to start at 9:45 a.m. PT.
“Overall it was a good day for the Ducks both in Albuquerque and Seattle,” Johnson said. “Hopefully that will carry over to New York as well. We have a good team vibe after the first day so we’ll come back out tomorrow and try to do more of the same.”
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