Setting the Scene: Pacific Lutheran is back in action for its second outdoor meet of the season, hosting the PLU Open. The Open is one of two meet's the Lutes will host this spring, also holding the PLU Invitational on April 9.
About the Lute Women: Pacific Lutheran opened the lid on the outdoor season last weekend, winning the team title at the Ed Boitano Invitational held across town at the University of Puget Sound.
PLU scored 156.5 points in the team standings, owning a 12.5-point buffer on runner-up and NWC rival Whitworth University. Colorado College was a distant third with 80 points.
The Lutes had three event winners at the meet. Bailey Forsyth torched the field in the 100-meters, easily winning in 12.31 while Kayden Hulquist took the 100-meter hurdles in 15.38. In the field events, Lily Luksich won the pole vault, clearing a school record 11' 5" and on Monday was named the NWC Field Athlete of the Week.
PLU additionally had second place finishes from Ava Nelson in the javelin, Hulquist in the long jump, and the 4x400-meter relay.
About the Lute Men: PLU won five individual events to tie for first with conference rival Whitworth at the Ed Boitano Invitational.
Keola Sanchez won the 100-meters in 11.20 before taking the 200-meters in 22.86 while Grady Lemma won the 110-meter hurdles in 15.98 and the 400-meter hurdles in 56.92.
Corey Solomon netted the Lutes' fifth victory of the meet, clearing 14' 8" to win the pole vault.
PLU finished with 161 points to tie the Pirates for the top spot at the 11-team meet. Community Colleges of Spokane was third with 100 points with host University of Puget Sound fifth (55 points).
All-Region Lutes: The USTFCCCA released its All-Region award winners for the indoor season this week with seven Lutes making the cut. Bailey Forsyth (60-meters and 200-meters) and Kayden Hulquist (long jump and 60-meter hurdles) led the way by earning All-West Region in two events while Zoey Diviney (800-meters), Lily Luksich (pole vault), Kristine Nguyen (pole vault), Masum Real (shot put), and Wyatt Tayon (shot put) were also honored.
Indoor Nationals: Speedster Bailey Forsyth will be noticeably absent from the PLU Open as she will be in Winston-Salem, North Carolina competing at the 2022 NCAA Division III Indoor Championships. Forsyth, the national champion in the outdoor 100 and 200, is the Lutes' first indoor qualifier since the 2005 season.
Next Home Meet:
Apr. 9: PLU Invitational
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