One state record down, and possibly more to come for Lake Oswego's Josie Donelson.
The senior sprinter, who finished last year within .01 seconds of a state record in the 400 meters, shattered the mark in her first 400 of the season Friday in the Florida Relays at the University of Florida.
Donelson clocked 53.53 seconds to break the mark of 53.93, set by North Salem's Sasha Spencer in 1997. Donelson finished third in the race behind two runners from Florida, Alivia Williams (52.30) and Tyra Cox (53.53).
“We knew she could go faster,” Lake Oswego coach John Parks said. “She was fairly pleased to open the outdoor season with that.”
Considering Donelson already had run the 400 in 53.88 and 53.44 during the winter indoor season, it seemed as if it was just a matter of time before she officially broke the record.
“We kind of hoped she'd be under 53,” Parks said. “But it was real windy, and she didn't get out as fast as we would've hoped. Her season is off to a great start. We're excited for what the rest of the season holds.”
The Vanderbilt-bound Donelson also leads the state this season in the 100, 200 and 300 hurdles, although the 100 and 200 are likely to be the domain of her senior teammate, Mia Brahe-Pedersen, once she returns from a hamstring injury. Donelson also ran on the anchor on a 4x100 relay that has the state's best time this season in 49.44.
Donelson's next breakthrough is likely to come in the 300 hurdles. Her personal best of 42.60 is No. 3 all-time in the state and well within reach of the record of 42.23, set by Oregon City's Harley Daniel in 2022. Parks said that Donelson is likely to focus on the 300 hurdles in the Arcadia (Calif.) Invitational this weekend.
With Donelson and Brahe-Pedersen leading the way, the Lakers are looking to improve on their 4x400 state record and break the state mark in the 4x100 this season.
The USC-bound Brahe-Pedersen, the state record-holder in 100 and 200, has yet to compete this season but is making steady progress in recovering from a hamstring injury that she sustained during a winter indoor meet.
She traveled with the team to the Florida Relays with the intent on running in the relays, but with injuries sidelining other Lakers, Parks opted to keep Brahe-Pedersen under wraps.
“While it's disappointing, it is what it is,” Parks said. “We're just being extra cautious because it's too much to lose.”
Parks said Brahe-Pedersen is scheduled to undergo an MRI this week and she is questionable for the Arcadia Invitational. He said she could run in the 4x400 at Arcadia, or she might wait to make her season debut at the Oregon Relays (April 19-20) or Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays (April 26).
“I think ultimately we'll have her in time for the end of the season,” Parks said. “But I'm just being super extra cautious that we don't have a little issue. I'm fairly confident she'll be back soon.”
Laker boys rise with 'Mia effect'
Lake Oswego's boys made some noise of their own at the Florida Relays. Senior James Bauman broke a 60-year-old school record in the 100 and was part of a 4x100 relay that crushed the school mark.
Bauman ran the 100 in 10.58 to finish fourth at the meet, blazing past the school record of 10.74, set by John Martin in 1964. The team of sophomore Jalen Bauman, James Bauman and seniors Braden Heath and Matthew Altman finished the 4x100 in 41.62 to place third, more than one second faster than the previous school mark (42.88, 2012).
The 4x100 time is No. 6 all-time in the state and the fastest since Sheldon set the state record of 41.19 in 2014.
“This team has the desire to do some phenomenal things this year,” Parks said.
Parks said the boys' dramatic improvement is partially due to the “Mia effect.”
“She's just an inspiring person for the rest of the team,” Parks said. “It kind of made them raise their game. And I've got my system in place, because last year I wasn't around during the winter.”
It's conceivable that Lake Oswego could set state records in the 4x100 for boys and girls this year.
“That's the goal,” Parks said.
James Bauman, the 5A 100 champion for Putnam last year, also is pushing toward Lake Oswego's school record in the 200 (21.84, Greg Lindsay, 1967). He ran 21.63 at an indoor meet March 3 and 21.92 in his first meet of the outdoor season March 20.
Parks said James Bauman could challenge state records in the 100 (10.21) and 200 (21.03), set by Benson's Micah Williams in 2019.
“That's kind of his goal to get those,” Parks said. “And to run fast enough that his little brother doesn't take his records over the next two years.”
Weather nixes Street Vault
The third annual Florence Street Vault was canceled due to inclement weather March 27.
Four state champion pole vaulters were entered in the event in Churchill sophomore Addison Kleinke, Tigard junior Alexa Anderson, Coquille senior Reagan Krantz and Marshfield senior John Parks.
“High winds and heavy rain until almost noon would have made the setup very difficult,” said Siuslaw coach Chris Johnson, the meet organizer. “And the forecast was for more of the same all day, so we decided to cancel
“We are considering taking another crack at it after the high school season is over, so stay tuned.”
Summit Decathlon/Heptathlon
Burns junior Carson Volle and Ridgeview senior Kensey Gault emerged on top in the Summit Decathlon/Heptahlon on Friday and Saturday at Summit.
Gault (4,270 points) and Redmond senior Jillian Bremont (3,539) finished 1-2 in the girls meet for the second year in a row. Gault won the 200, 800, 100 hurdles and high jump.
Volle scored 5,277 points to beat Crook County junior Gabe Love (5,232) and Summit senior Nate Miller (5,133). Volle finished first in the 110 hurdles and was second in the 400, high jump and long jump.
jerryu@osaa.org
Subscribe
