Jarred Rome and Ian Waltz make yet another world championships team...

EUGENE, Oregon--Marysville-Pilchuck grad Jarred Rome finished second in the men’s discus, throwing 28-3 (63.48m) to highlight day two of the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

He will be joined in Berlin by former WSU Cougar Ian Waltz, who finished third with a toss of 203-1 (61.91m).

Rome said that it was a relief to make his third world championship team, despite the disappointment of not making the Olympic team last year. He said that he is now down to 295 pounds, and feels quicker through the discus ring.

Jeshua Anderson (left/photo by Paul Merca) of Washington State ran the second fastest first round time in the men’s 400 meter hurdles, as the two-time NCAA champion at this distance clocked 50.22 to win heat 3

“It was pretty windy out there today, but I’m used to Hayward by now. I ran a little bit too fast in the prelims last year so having that experience helped me today. I’ll be ready for the finals.”

Former Washington Husky Ryan Brown, the 2006 NCAA outdoor champion at 800 meters, advanced to his first USA outdoor final, as he placed second in his heat, running 1:47,81 to finish behind veteran Khadevis Robinson,

Current Husky Mel Lawrence finished fourth in her heat of the women’s 3000 meter steeplechase, running 9:56.42, and looking very comfortable in a race that was marred by the water jump barrier set incorrectly at the men’s height of 36 inches instead of the women’s height of 30 inches.

Here’s the video interview paulmerca.blogspot.com did with Lawrence:



In the men’s decathlon competition, former Seattle Pacific standout Chris Randolph finished a surprising fourth, scoring 7766 points.

In the women's triple jump, Blessing Ufodiama (WSU '04), competing unattached, placed seventh in the women's triple jump with a best effort of 44-feet, 7 inches (13.59m), which came on her fourth attempt.

Among key athletes with Washington ties competing Saturday include Olympian Diana Pickler, who begins the two-day heptathlon, and Jeshua Anderson, who runs in the semi-finals of the 400 hurdles. 2007 world championships team member Ginnie Powell also begins her quest to make another team in the 100 meter hurdles.

2007 world pole vault champion Brad Walker makes his 2009 season debut Saturday, and will formally be a member of this year’s world championship team simply by competing,

Saturday’s meet will be televised by ESPN for two hours, starting at 4:30 pm, pacific time.

Complete results from the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships can be accessed here.

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