Rogers Wins Second Straight Pac-12 Hammer Throw Title

LOS ANGELES – Camryn Rogers dominated the field to pick up her second straight Pac-12 women's hammer throw title, leading California track & field on day one at the Conference championships Friday.

Rogers posted the top mark on her second attempt of the day, going 72.22 meters (236-11) to defend her 2019 hammer throw championship in Tucson, Arizona. Rogers' throw was more than 10 feet farther than the top mark of the day from UCLA's Alyssa Wilson (68.97 meters, 226-3), who finished as the runner-up.  

It was the second-best mark in history by the women's hammer throw winner at the Pac-12 track & field championships, behind only Arizona State's Maggie Ewen who went 74.38 meters (244-0) in 2018.

"I'm really happy with how today went and even happier for the lessons I've taken away from the competition," Rogers said. "It was a competition full of learning. Learning how to fight back, learning how to take all the cues we practice in training and executing. These are the meets that matter most and I'm so thankful for the constant support from Coach Mo. I can't wait to get back in the ring in two weeks."

Cal picked up 17 total points in the event thanks to a fourth-place finish from Anna Purchase (62.89 meters, 206-4) and Jasmine Blair posted a top mark of 58.80 meters (192-11) to take seventh-place.   

The Bears added three team points in the men's hammer throw competition behind a pair of personal bests. Ivar Moisander finished in sixth-place with a mark of 63.57 meters (208-6) and Michael Gupta took ninth-place, throwing 60.15 meters (197-4).  

"Our hammer throwers did a fantastic job today," Cal throws coach Mohamad Saatara said. "Each of them performed in the championship environment and contributed to the team. I am exceptionally proud of the hard work and dedication they've shown this season."

It was a great start to the decathlon competition for Hakim McMorris as he set three personal records, won four of the five events and took second-place in the other. McMorris grabbed wins and set lifetime bests in the 100-meters (10.71), long jump (7.55 meters, 24-9.25) and the 400-meters (48.22).  

He also won the high jump with a top clearance of 1.97 meters (6-5.5) to beat the rest of the field by three heights and took second-place in the shot put with a mark of 13.86 meters (45-5.75). McMorris leads the competition with 4,268 points, 202 points ahead of Oregon's Max Vollmer in second-place (4,066 points).

On the track, the Bears qualified two for Sunday finals. Garrett MacQuiddy ran against a stacked field and moved on in the men's 1,500-meters with a time of 3:43.90. Ezinne Abba will run in the women's 200-meter final after clocking 23.44 (+2.7) to advance on time against another tough field.

Mason Mangum ran a new personal best in the men's 400-meter hurdle prelim, crossing the line in 52.95 to finish 10th and narrowly miss advancing to the final by two spots.

Up Next: The Bears return to action Saturday for day two at the Pac-12 Championships on the USC campus. Competition gets underway with the decathlon 110-meter hurdles at 1:15 p.m.

Friday's Results
MEN
Hammer Throw Final: 6. Ivar Moisander, 63.57m/208-6 (PR); 9. Michael Gupta, 60.15m/197-4 (PR)
1,500-Meter Prelim: 12. Garrett MacQuiddy, 3:43.90q
200-Meter Prelim: 21. Christian Catlin, 21.76; 22. George Monroe, 21.88; 23. Kyle Johnston, 22.07; 26. Samir Thota, 22.77
400-Meter Hurdle Prelim: 10. Mason Mangum, 52.95 (PR)
10,000-Meter Final:  16. Ben Harper, 30:49.09
Decathlon:
Day One: 1. Hakim McMorris, 4,268
100-Meters: 1. Hakim McMorris, 10.71 (PR)
Long Jump: 1. Hakim McMorris, 7.55m/24-9.25 (PR)
Shot Put: 2. Hakim McMorris, 13.86m/45-5.75
High Jump: 1. Hakim McMorris, 1.97m/6-5.5
400-Meters: 1. Hakim McMorris, 48.22 (PR)

WOMEN
Hammer Throw Final: 1. Camryn Rogers, 72.22m/236-11; 4. Anna Purchase, 62.89m/206-4; 7. Jasmine Blair, 58.80m/192-11
1,500-Meter Prelim: 19. Jessica Nye, 4:30.68
200-Meter Prelim: 6. Ezinne Abba, 23.44wq; 16. Maisie Stevens, 24.21
400-Meter Hurdle Prelim: 18. Thea Moellerstedt, 1:04.32

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