>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

One foot forward.

That’s taking a step in the right direction, and EOU track and field did just that Saturday as hosts of the Mountaineer Invitational.

Peter Fry and Kirk Miller performed “extremely well” in the triple jump, said EOU coach Ben Welch. Fry jumped 46-feet, 2.5 inches — a personal record good enough to meet the provisional mark for the NAIA national meet. Miller jumped 45 feet, 5.25 inches — not bad considering it was his fourth event of the day.

Miller also jumped 22 feet, 10.5 inches in the long jump, hitting the provisional mark for the NAIA national meet.

Onto Doug Benson. He placed first in the 1,500-meter race (3:57.29), which happens to be the fastest under Welch’s reign at EOU.

The 4x100-meter men’s relay team consisting of Chris Hoppie, Kirk Miller, Nathan Humphreys and Adam Miller took first place with a finishing time of 43.44.

Nathan Schmidt took first place in both the 100-meter dash (11.5) and 200-meter dash (22.54). Finishing behind him in both races was Andrew Wise-Grittman (11.66 and 23.04, respectively).

In the 800-meter race, Jeff Roy placed first (2:00.07). And Hoppie placed first in the 110-meter hurdles (15.22).

As for the field events, Justus Gray placed first in the high jump (6 feet, 4 inches) and Lucas Ohmes took first in the pole vault (14 feet, 6 inches). Quinten Baxter performed admirably in the hammer throw (first place, 53.54 meters), shot put (second, 13.65 meters) and discus throw (second, 40.75 meters.)

As for the women, Stephanie Windle placed first in the 1,500-meter race (5:06.35). Danielle Murphy placed third in the 100-meter dash (13.54). Marcella Bosch placed third in the 800-meter race (2:23.94). Cora Beach won the 100-meter hurdles (16.84). And in the 5,000-meter run, Kendra Stone (20:37.42) placed second.

For the field events, Powder Valley High product Shauna Dahlin won the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches). Tiffanie Ulmer performed well in the javelin (first place, 38.31 meters), shot put (second, 10.72 meters) and discus throw (third, 35.49 meters). Trisha Harshberger won the hammer throw (45.77 meters).

“Overall,” Welch said, “we just had a lot of people improve on some things. We’re stepping in the right direction.”

Welch also said he would like to “thank La Grande High for all their help” in the Mountaineer Invitational.

EOU finishes long weekend 2-4

PORTLAND — EOU struggled on its three-day weekend. Friday, the Mountaineers softball team split a pair of games with Concordia.

EOU dropped Game 1 4-1, failing to score until its final at-bat.

Kelly West flirted with disaster in Game 2, but managed to walk away with a 7-2 win.

West allowed three runs on eight hits.

Lydia Holm collected three hits in the winning effort.

Holm drove in three runs and scored twice.

Saturday, EOU dropped a pair of one-run games to Corban College.

West allowed two runs on four hits during a 2-1 loss in Game 1.

The Mountaineers failed to tally a hit on the Cavaliers pitcher.

Trailing 5-2 in the seventh inning, EOU mounted a comeback in the nightcap.

Holm drove in two runs on a two-out single.

The game ended on a strikeout with the bases loaded.

Sunday, the Mountaineers split with Great Falls, Mont., dropping the first game 3-1.

EOU escaped in Game 2 5-4, paced by Melodee Mildenberger’s 2 RBI pinch hit single in the sixth.