TACOMA, Wash. — It was an exciting and competitive weekend for Northwest University Track and Field as the Eagles traveled to Tacoma to compete in the Peyton Shotwell Meet, hosted by the University of Puget Sound.
Facing large, talent-filled fields across nearly every event, Northwest athletes delivered standout performances and continued to build momentum heading into the heart of the season.
Leading the way on the men's side was standout distance runner Josiah Jaquith, who turned in an exceptional weekend. Jaquith qualified for the Cascade Conference Championships in both the 1500m and 800m, clocking times of 3:54.35 and 1:56.54, respectively. He placed 6th in the 1500m and 4th in the 800m, solidifying himself as a key contender heading into the conference meet on May 8-9. His 1500m performance also marked a new school record, breaking a mark that had stood for over two decades.
Teammate Levi Nichols also competed in both middle-distance events, placing 12th in the 1500m and 800m, while Jarron Ransford added a 13th-place finish in the 800m. With deep fields in each race, the Eagles showed strong competitiveness against a wide range of talent.
On the women's side, Evelyn Tomka delivered one of the top performances of the weekend, earning a 2nd-place finish in the javelin with a throw of 37.85 meters.
In distance events, Rachel Elliott led the way in the 5000m with a 3rd-place finish, followed by Marissa Guthrie in 7th. Emri Butcher and Hannah Capusan rounded out the group with 11th- and 13th-place finishes, respectively, showcasing depth and determination in a highly competitive field.
Head Coach Mark Mandi praised the team's performance and growth following the meet: "We had a great day at the UPS Peyton-Shotwell Invite. I thought we competed very well, and we're hoping to keep that going as the season continues. Fantastic performances throughout the day, highlighted by Josiah's school record in the 1,500m, a record that has stood for over two decades. The focus he had today is what makes him one of the best distance runners in the NAIA. Coach Corban has given him and the distance group a great training plan, and when you pair that with a competitive field, you can come away with special performances. In the javelin, Evelyn had her best series of throws ever and made it her third consecutive week with a PR—a testament to the work that she and the rest of that group put in the offseason and continue to do this season.
"While it's a huge blessing to see people hit PR's and perform well, I'm thankful to God for the character growth throughout the team. As people deal with the ups and downs of the sport and throughout their lives, God is building into them a resilience that I know will benefit them and those around them for a lifetime."
Overall, the meet featured large participation numbers in each event, and Northwest athletes rose to the challenge with numerous strong performances and personal accomplishments across the board.
The Eagles will take a brief break from competition next weekend before returning to action in April.
