TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran University Men's Track and Field team competed in their second home event of the spring season, where Carson Olmstead and Keola Sanchez led the way with individual victories. The Lutes also honored 13 men's and women's seniors for their contributions to the program over the past four seasons.
 
"It was great to be back at home with our first meet with great weather." Said Head Coach Trey Henderson following the Lutes meet.
 
The Friday session got kickstarted with the hammer throw, as freshman Micah Ragaza-Bourassa led the way for the Lutes in the 15-person field, taking sixth with a best of 37.67 meters.
 
On Saturday, the Lutes 400-meter relay team consisting of junior Grady Lemma, senior Keola Sanchez, sophomore Steele Swinton, and junior Kellen Meade took second in the four-team race with a time of 42.27, finishing just behind the team from Division II Central Washington University.
 
"Keola had another standout day with another PR in the 100m. George Sonko had a nice PR in shot. I also thought Dylan and Blake had a strong day in the Pole Vault" 
 
Senior cross country conference champion Ryan Stracke ran a 4:00.81 time in the 1500-meter run, earning a fourth-place finish out of 30 competitors.
 
The Lutes swept the podium in the 100-meter dash as Keola Sanchez took home first with a time of 10.78. Kellen Meade took second at 11.06 as LeBron Smith finished in third with 11.29 in a field of 29 athletes. Sanchez and Meade showed their speed once again in the 200-meter dash, as Sanchez took third with a time of 22.43 and Meade taking fourth with 22.45.
 
Fellow cross country athlete Owen Ladinig ran the fastest time in the 5000-meter run, beating out 12 other athletes with a time of 15:05.43. In the 1600 relay, the Lutes team took home the best time with a 3:23.10, beating out the two teams from Division II Central Washington.
 
Sophomore Dylan Jones repeated his strong performance from last weekend, taking second in the pole vault with a leap of 4.30 meters. Meade showcased his versatility, taking second in the long jump with a best of 6.56 meters. Also a two-sport athlete, Carson Olmstead took home the best throw at the javelin, with a heave of 54.82 meters, two-meters better than second place.
 
The Lutes will continue the outdoor season next weekend at the Peyton Shotwell Invitational hosted by cross-town rival, Puget Sound, on Friday and Saturday, March 22^nd and 23^rd.
 
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