Huskies win MPSF title in distance medley; Jake Schmitt wins 5000...

In what was projected on paper as a battle royal between the Washington Huskies, Stanford Cardinal, and Oregon Ducks in the women's distance medley relay (all three teams entered the meet with NCAA automatic qualifying marks) turned into no contest, as Washington easily won the DMR, running 11:16.57.

Freshman Christine Babcock got the Dawgs a lead it never relinquished on the opening 1200-meter leg, and Falesha Ankton, Katie Follett, and anchor Kailey Campbell extended the lead, as the Huskies were never pressed for the MPSF title.

Stanford, running essentially a "B" unit finished second in 11:22.70, while California overtook Oregon for third, clocking 11:41.10, against a Duck squad which was a "B" unit.

Washington junior Jake Schmitt won his first MPSF title at 5000 meters, taking command after 1500 meters and never relinquishing the lead, winning in a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 13:57.49.

In the women's pentathlon, Husky senior Daria Amiad-Pavlov finished fifth, scoring 3853 points, only one point short of her personal best.

Senior Lara Jones, a transfer from Duke, set a new personal-best with a clearance of 13-feet, 5 ¼ inches that tied for the second-best clearance by any vaulter but was fifth based on the tiebreak. Husky Andrea Peterson also PR'd, clearing 13-1 ½ to take eighth in the always loaded field. Jones and Peterson became the sixth and seventh vaulters in school history to clear 13-feet indoors.

Washington State's Kendall Mays tied for fifth at 13-5 1/4 in the women's pole vault, while Cougar Phil MacArthur captured third place with his opening attempt in the men's 35-pound weight with a throw of 65-7 3/4 (20.01m).

To read Washington's day one release, click here; to read Washington State's day one release, please click here...

The meet continues Saturday, beginning at 11 am.

Videos from the MPSF Championships are available at media partner runnerspace.com. To watch highlights from the MPSF, including an interview with Paul Merca, please click here...

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