The Falcons Online -- Seattle Pacific University Athletics

Vermulm Throws for Qualifying Mark, Women Second at Peyton Invitational
March 12, 2005

TACOMA, Wash. (Mar. 12) Seattle Pacific University freshman Lauren VerMulm won the javelin with an NCAA provisional qualifying mark as the Falcons finished second overall at the Joe Peyton Invitational track and field meet Saturday at Baker Stadium.

VerMulm (Fr., Mount Vernon, Wa.) led SPU to a 1-2-3 sweep of the javelin and, in all, the women recorded seven wins and the men three in the second outdoor meet. The Falcons were missing seven of their top women who were competing at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships in Boston.

Winning by a margin of more than 8 feet over teammate Molly Hornbuckle (Sol, Burien, Wa./Highline), VerMulm sent the spear 141 feet, 11 inches and became the team's fourth qualifier in two weeks. It was the best throw by an SPU freshman since Nicole Trammell in 1995. Hornbuckle threw 133-8 and Sara Johnson (Sr., Kennewick, Wa.) was third with 132-6.

The other 1-2 finishes were in the 100-meter hurdles, with Kelsey Cooley (So., Missoula, Mt./Hellgate) wining in 15.45 seconds and Linda Blake (Jr., Richland, Wa.) next in 15.91, and the pole vault, where Monica Anderson (Fr., Bremerton, Wa.) cleared 11-5 3/4 to tie the stadium record and Ally Studer (Sr., Redmond, Wa.) went 10-11 3/4. Blake also won the high jump, matching her personal-best leap of 5-5.

Anna Soule was first in the 200 (26.71) and second in the 100 (13.06). Jean Kolb (Jr., Eugene, Or./South Eugene) won the 400 (60.59) and Hanane Benanaya (Fr., Casablanca, Morocco) the 800 (2:27.83).

Ryan Jewell (Fr., Olympia, Wa.) and Doug Gibson (So., Yakima, Wa./Riverside Christian) starred for the men. Jewell won the 200 (22.64) and took second in the 100 (11.39). Gibson won the steeplechase in 9:31.22a mark ranking No. 5 in school history. Brian Cronrath (Fr., Battle Ground, Wa.) took the 1500 (3:59.62).

Central Washington won both the men's and women's titles in the five-team meet, which included Western Washington, Saint Martin's and host Puget Sound. The Wildcats totaled 193 points in the women's, with SPU next at 155. Seattle Pacific was fourth among men's teams with 58 points.

Following final exams, a select group will train and compete the next two weekends in California, beginning with the Panther/Stan Wright Invitational in Sacramento.