The Pacific University men's and women's track and field team competed in day one of the Northwest Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships today hosted by Pacific Lutheran University.

Josh Huffman started the day off strong by winning the men's shot put with an outdoor PR of 14.86m. He will be back competing in the discus tomorrow. A short while later, Brooke France took home the win in the women's hammer throw with her mark of 43.57m. Karen Du started her championship weekend off with a victory in the women's shot put (12.85m) and throwing her best series of the season. France will return tomorrow in the discus and javelin, and Du will also compete in the discus. Serena Wallace ran to a NWC title in the women's 10k, running a big PR of 37:38.60 and finishing over two minutes ahead of second place. She will compete again tomorow in the 5k.

Other Boxers scoring points in the meet today were Emily DeYoung (12.4m) and Megan Wesel (12.07) who placed fifth and sixth in the women's shot put, respectively, Airel Farley who placed fifth in the women's 3k steeplechase with a PR of 11:55.68, and Nick Slenning, who placed sixth in the men's 10k with a big PR of 33:28.55. Jason Draper earned his spot on the podium, throwing 50.72m in the men's hammer to finish in second place.

The preliminary rounds of events were run today, with the top eight athletes advancing to finals tomorrow in each event. James Hoban and Cole Strober both advanced in the men's 100m dash, running 10.99 and 11.20, respectively, and both also advanced in the 200m dash, running 22.10 and 22.19, respectively. Jenna Hoiland advanced in the women's 100m hurdles (15.93), and Megan Eberhardt (59.12) and Alexa Smith (1:00.80) advanced in the women's 400m. Audrey Lincoln advanced in the women's 400m hurdles with a big PR of 1:06.72, and Garrett Stewart advanced in the men's 800m (2:00.36) in a very aggressive and physical preliminary heat. 

The Boxers will return tomorrow for day two of the Northwest Conference Championship meet at Pacific Lutheran University.