Beavers Post Four First-Place Finishes at Saturday’s Willamette Opener

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State women's track and field team opened its outdoor season on Saturday at the Willamette Opener in Salem, Ore. The Beavers posted first-place finishes in all four events they participated in and finished first in the team standings with 92 points. 
 
"We enjoyed a nice Oregon pre-spring day," said head coach Louie Quintana. "It was mostly sunny and people were happy to be outside watching track and field. We had some great performances. The 1500 meters was full of energy and our women really got after it. I was so happy for junior Emily Perez. She's battled through some injuries, so it was great to see her race well and get the win.
 
"Freshman Aleen Golla was awesome in both (1500m and 800m) races. She ran a 17-second PR in the 1500 meters, which is pretty good. Also, junior Anneke Moersdorf had a great series of throws and threw a PR to win on her last throw. It was a good day for the group."
 
In the Beavers' only field event of the day, Moersdorf recorded a personal best toss of 11.45m (37' 6.79") to place first overall. 
 
The Beavers went 1-2-3 and totaled seven top-10 finishes in the 1500 meters. Perez led the pack, clocking an outdoor personal best of 4:43.47 to clinch gold. Taking silver, Golla finished the race with her own outdoor personal best, stopping the clock at 4:43.73. Redshirt-senior Delia DeLeon earned bronze, posting a time of 4:44.12. 
 
In the 800 meters, the Beavers took spots one through six, with DeLeon leading the group and finishing with a time of 2:21.72 to take first. Golla posted her second outdoor personal-best and second-place finish of the day, clocking a time of 2:21.96. Junior Liv Downing took third with a time of 2:22.95. 
 
Freshman Chelsie Emmerson also garnered a first-place finish, stopping the clock at 1:00.81 in the 400 meters. 
 
Up Next
Redshirt junior Kaylee Mitchell, sophomore Adael Scatena, senior Mari Friedman, and redshirt junior Grace Fetherstonhaugh will compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Ala. Mar. 11-12. The women's distance medley relay race is set for 8:45 p.m. CT (6:45 p.m. PT) on Mar. 11. The women's 3000 meters, which will feature Mitchell and Fetherstonhaugh, is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT (6 p.m. PT) on Mar. 12. 
 
The Beavers' next outdoor competition will be the OSU Pacific Northwest meet, which they will host on Mar. 19 in Corvallis, Ore.
 
Willamette Opener
Salem, Ore.  | Mar. 5
 
Team Standings
1. Oregon State – 92 points
T2. Willamette – 88 points
T2. Corban – 88 points 
4. Mt. Hood CC – 48 points
5. Western Oregon – 39 points
6. UO Running Club - 28 points
 
Oregon State Individual Results
Field Events
Shot Put
1. Anneke Moersdorf – 11.45m (37' 6.79") *Outdoor PR*
 
Track Events
400m
1. Chelsie Emmerson – 1:00.81 *Outdoor PR*
 
800m
1. Delia DeLeon – 2:21.72
2. Aleen Golla – 2:21.96 *Outdoor PR*
3. Liv Downing – 2:22.95 *Outdoor PR*
4. Emily Foote – 2:23.39 *Outdoor PR*
5. Sydney van der Zee – 2:24.40 *Outdoor PR*
6. Emily Perez – 2:24.93
 
1500m
1. Emily Perez – 4:43.47 *Outdoor PR*
2. Aleen Golla – 4:43.73 *Outdoor PR*
3. Delia DeLeon – 4:44.12
5. Liv Downing – 4:46.36 *Outdoor PR*
6. Emily Foote – 4:49.04 *Outdoor PR*
8. Lexy Hayes – 4:56.20
9. Libby Rinck – 5:02.18