2011 Oregon Relays

EUGENE, Ore. - Amber Purvis broke the meet record in the women's 200 meters, while Mike Berry edged Jordan Kent in an exciting men's 200 meters and Sally Kipyego ran the world's fastest time this year in the women's 1,500 meters Friday at the Oregon Relays, presented by Oregon Community Credit Union.

"This meet, at this time in the season, is a really good thing," said Oregon Associate Athletic Director Vin Lananna.

Before a crowd of 6,754 at Historic Hayward Field, Purvis shattered a 12-year-old meet record in the 200 meters by running a season-best 23.13 with a legal 2.0 meters per second tailwind. The junior from Hercules, Calif., broke the 1999 meet record of 23.65 set by Juan Ball of Cheetahs, and led an impressive performance by the Ducks in the sprints.

"It was the first 200 of the season so I guess I'm content but not too pleased," said Purvis.

Freshman English Gardner won section two of the 200 in a personal-best 23.22. That was the second-fastest time in school history, trailing only Purvis' 22.74 from last season. The 200 also produced the eighth-fastest time in school history as junior Lauryn Newson was third in the first section in 23.88.

"I went pretty hard in practice this week, and we were just seeing if my body could hold up the execution," said Gardner. "I just was trying to run the way coach wanted me to. There was no headwind this time, only a tailwind so the curve was a little difficult but after that it felt great."

Mike Berry and former Duck Jordan Kent waged an entertaining battle in the men's 200 meters. Kent, a rare three-sport letterman at Oregon, got a terrific jump out of the blocks in his first race of 2011 and held the lead through 175 meters. Then Berry ran him down and passed him with 15 meters remaining.

"I got out kind of slow but my last 120 meters were pretty good," said Berry. "I wanted to PR today but I got pretty close. I need to start out on the race

better.

"(Kent) is agood competitor, just like I'm a good competitor. I knew he was going to push me. I don't like to lose in front of my home crowd."

Berry, a freshman from Seattle, Wash., won in 21.10, with Kent right behind in 21.26. Jack Galpin was third in 21.74 with junior Bryan Harper fourth in a seasonal-best 22.06.

"It surprised me that I didn't finish all that strong," said Kent. "Berry caught me but he is a tremendous athlete. It's a lot of fun. It's so much fun to come back to Hayward on such a beautiful day. You can't beat it."

Kipyego, running for Oregon Track Club Elite, impressed by winning the 1,500 in a personal-best 4:06.23. The former Texas Tech star ran the final two laps solo in clocking the fastest time in the world this season, and breaking Jenny Barringer's year-old meet record of 4:08.38.

"I am very happy," said Kipyego. "It really was a great run and I felt very good. I am happy with how things are going."

In the men's 1,500, junior Matthew Centrowitz won in a season-best 3:42.49. Jordan McNamara of OTC Elite was second in 3:45.77, Patrick Casey of Montana State was third in 3:46.43 and sophomore Elijah Greer was fourth in a personal-best 3:48.98.

Laura Bobek started the day by winning the women's discus with a personal-best throw of 167-6/51.07m. The mark moved the freshman from Astoria, Ore., to fourth in the Pac-10.

"I'm happy but a little disappointed because I always want to throw farther," said Bobek. "It was great to come back today and PR."

In the men's triple jump, junior Brian Schaudt finished second in a wind-aided personal best leap of 51-9/15.77m.

-www.goducks.com-