Seattle Pacific University senior Lynelle Decker and Saint Martin’s University junior Shannon Porter claimed the top two spots in the final of the women’s 1,500 meters at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference outdoor track and field championships held Friday and Saturday in Monmouth, Ore.
Decker, a Mountain View High School graduate, made a big move with about 300 meters to go to pull well clear of the field, according to spufalcons.com. By the time she turned into the homestretch, there was no doubt about it, as she won in 4 minutes, 29.68 seconds, with Hockinson High School graduate Porter finishing in 4:32.95.
Decker and Porter each claimed one GNAC title and placed second in another race at the meet.
Later on a cool, drizzly Saturday at Western Oregon’s McArthur Field — in a marked turnaround from Friday’s 80-degree temperatures — Decker had the lead coming toward the finish line in the 800, but a final surge by Sophie Dodd left the Simon Fraser sophomore in front at the end by less than a tenth of a second, 2:11.47 to 2:11.56.
A video interview of Decker is available on the SPUsports YouTube channel.
Also later Saturday, Porter won the 5,000 meters with a time of 16:42.14.
Entries were announced Tuesday for the NCAA Division II national championships May 26-28 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Porter is entered in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters. Decker is entered in the 800 and 1,500 meters. It will mark Decker’s 11th trip to NCAA-II nationals in 12 seasons of cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. She missed nationals in one season of cross country.
• Northwest Nazarene — NNU senior Taylor Van Valey, a Hockinson High School graduate, placed eighth in the hammer throw with a mark of 148 feet, 8 1/4 inches. Crusaders junior Kelly Nigro helped NNU place eighth in the 1,600 relay. The Woodland High School graduate joined Aimee Rodes, Laura Seymour and Janessa Dyk for a time of 4:02.57.
Track and field: Porter named RMAC Athlete of the Year
Western State Colorado University junior Georgia Porter was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women’s Track Athlete of the Year.
The Hockinson High School graduate won the 1,500 and 5,000 meters at the RMAC championships held May 6-8 at Black Hills State in Spearfish, S.D., with times of 4:29.03 and 17:22.52, respectively.
Conference head coaches vote on the major awards — track athlete, field athlete, freshman and coach of the year — at the conclusion of the RMAC championship meet.
Porter is entered in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters for NCAA-II nationals.
Track and field: Bobcats’ Crawford 8th in Big Sky hammer
Montana State University junior Callen Crawford placed eighth in the women’s hammer throw at the Big Sky Conference outdoor championships in Greeley, Colo. The King’s Way Christian graduate’s mark was 52.50 meters (172 feet, 3 inches).
Baseball: Dallas’ Martin named USCAA All-America
University of Dallas freshman Thomas Martin was named a baseball Second Team All-America by the U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association.
A graduate of Seton Catholic, Martin split most of his playing time at first base and right field.
He paced the Crusaders with a .351 batting average, 46 hits, and 24 RBI. He had a 13- game hitting streak during the season, and reached base safely in 23 consecutive contests.
The USCAA is a national organization for the intercollegiate athletic programs of 81 mostly small colleges, community colleges and junior colleges, across the nation.
Softball: Tauscher, Lefever named All-Region
Linfield College junior Erin Tauscher and Whitworth University junior pitcher Makayla Lefever were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Division III All-West Region team.
• Tauscher, a Camas High School graduate, was named a First Team selection as a utility player. She is batting .356 with eight home runs and eight doubles, and has drawn a team-high 23 walks for the Wildcats (32-14), who will play a best-of-three NCAA Division III Super Regional on Friday and Saturday at Texas-Tyler.
• Lefever, a Woodland High School graduate, is a Third Team selection for the second year in a row. The right-handed pitcher was 19-4 with a 1.95 ERA and led the Northwest Conference in wins and shutouts (four) during the regular season. Lefever, 36-9 over her final two seasons, is forgoing her senior year of eligibility.
Men’s basketball: Simpson U.’s Kaler named All-CalPac
Simpson University senior Jacob Kaler was named First Team All-California Pacific Conference for men’s basketball.
The Camas High School graduate led the CalPac in scoring at 18.7 points a game and finished seventh in steals (1.3 a game). His 27-point performance at Pacific Union was the highest total in league play in the 2015-16 season.
Suggestions for College Notebook? Contact Kurt Zimmer at 360-735-4563 or kurt.zimmer@columbian.com
