Clackamas track and field sets facility records at Corban University

By Tashanique Barrs
Staff Writer

On Saturday, April 26, Corban University held it’s first meet at their brand new track and field facility, allowing the opportunity to set numerous facility records. The schools competing were Clackamas Community College, Oregon Tech, Evergreen State, and Southern Oregon. The Cougars won three events out of 22, setting the facility records in those categories. Tanner Hardley won the pole-vaulting event, Talbot Friesen won the 3k steeplechase, and Scotty Weiler won the 1500m race.

Hardley received the first facility record for pole vaulting. When asked how he felt after the win, he said he felt as if he performed “pretty good.”

Hardley posted a season best performance of 14 feet, 7.5 inches. When detailing his experience with track and field, Hardley said, “I did pole vault all through high school.” He hopes to continue field and track attending Montana University but has not formally decided on any college decision yet.

Tanner Hardley pole vaulting at Corban University. Photo by Evan Tichenor

Friesen placed first in conference, setting the 3k steeplechase facility record at Corban University with a time of 9:52.07.

Friesen said he had not participated much in the steeplechase event until recently. He said, “Halfway through the 2024 season I got thrown into the race. Then it became my top event, the only one that gets me excited now.”

Friesen said he’s been attempting to train himself well during the track season. He said, “I have been training to jump off my non-dominant leg to better clear the water barrier. With three weeks left I have kept my current workouts to prevent overworking myself. And being well rested before an event.”

Friesen plans to attend a D-1 university but is currently undecided on where he will commit to.

Talbot Freisen in first place, hurdling the steeplechase barrier. Photo by Evan Tichenor

Scottie Weiler’s first win of the season set a facility record, with her season best 1500m race time of 5:28.67. When asked how she felt after the win she said, “Not terrible, I wasn’t expecting it.” Weiler will be attending Oregon State University after her time at CCC, but will not be continuing her track and field career in Corvallis. “I’m only joining the running club.” she said.

Dirk Lakeman, assistant coach for the track and field squad, believes the track season has been going great, pleased with the three event wins on Saturday, April 26.

Lakeman said the team is still in the process of rebuilding and trying to retain a consistent roster. He said, “We are still building our team from COVID and recent coach changes. We only get the students for two years, it’s hard to keep a good team consistently.”

Faith Burnett, originally hailing from Caldwell, Idaho, is a sophomore at Clackamas. She runs the 400m hurdles and 100m events for the track and field team.

Burnett has plans of returning to Idaho or going to Florida to continue her collegiate track career. Burnett said, “I plan to return to my home state and go to Boise State or Warner University.”

Faith Burnett. Photo by Evan Tichenor

Head associate coach Bridget Carpenter said that the season was going well, and had high hopes for the track and field team as they are “continuing to build their team up.”

Carpenter said the track team is attempting to recruit more women athletes to the college. She said, “We’re deep in recruiting now, we definitely want to bring more girls to the team if possible.”

The Clackamas Community College track team have had a successful season so far, with one final meet coming up; the NWAC Track and Field Championships. The championship events will take place at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, from May 19-20.