The Evergreen State College Athletes Bring Home Awards from 2025 Cascade Collegiate Conference Track and Field Championships

Submitted by The Evergreen State College

The Evergreen State College had a strong first day at the 2025 Cascade Collegiate Conference Track and Field Championships presented by U.S. Bank on Friday, May 9 at Southern Oregon University. Alauna Carstens (Jr.) and Izabelle Trefts (Jr.) each won an event.

Carstens was victorious in the women’s 10,000-meter run with a time of 37:36.40. She won by just under 10 seconds over Damaris Kibiwot from Lewis-Clark State College, who placed second in 37:46.07. Molly Connor from College of Idaho was third at 38:09.13. Carstens, Kibiwot, and Connor battled for most of the race.

Trefts (Jr.) took first place in the women’s 5,000-meter race walk in 23:55.48. She also registered All-Conference honors. Second place went to Grace Wong from the University of British Columbia, who was timed at 27:12.08. Chantell Dass from UBC was third at 28:33.98.

The wins earned All-Conference honors for Carstens and Trefts. Both qualified for the 2025 NAIA Track and Field Championships in their respective events earlier this season.

Also on Friday, River Scheuerell (Sr.) of Evergreen placed third in the men’s 5,000-meter race walk with a time of 26:13.92. He was named All-Conference. His time is ranked 20th in the NAIA this year.

Max Baeder (So.) placed ninth in the men’s 10,000-meter run. He earned a time of 32:43.67, which ranks third on Evergreen’s all-time list.

In the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, Rowan Hicks (So.) represented Evergreen. He completed the race in 10:49.96.

Abigail Strickland (Sr.) of the Geoducks set a school record in the women’s hammer throw with a distance of 42.14 meters (138’ 3”). She won the first heat and placed 10th overall out of 22 athletes in the event.

Claire Ryan (So.) also competed in the women’s hammer throw. Her top effort covered 35.28 meters (115’ 9”). In the men’s hammer throw, Paul Stewart (So.) was marked at 38.27 meters (125’ 6”).

“So many congratulations to Abigail on the school record in the hammer and the rest of the family today in Ashland,” Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson commented. “It was a great day to be a Geoduck! I was proud of Max for pouring his heart in the 10k with the third-best time in school history!

“I’m so thrilled for Alauna and Izabelle!” Pearson added. “Those two prepared amazingly well for the championships and seeing them perform well was just awesome!”

“It was so exciting watching these athletes compete today!” said Evergreen Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett. “For Alauna and Izabelle it was a great prep for nationals. For Abigail, it was incredible watching her finish her collegiate hammer career with a school record! Max ended the night well and I know this experience will help him and the others prepare for next season to be even stronger.”

Sackrider Takes Third Place in Discus at CCC Championships

Jalyn Sackrider (Sr.) from The Evergreen State College earned third place in the women’s discus throw as the 2025 Cascade Collegiate Conference Track and Field Championships presented by U.S. Bank concluded on Saturday, May 10 at Southern Oregon University. Also scoring for the Geoducks was Corona Parker (Sr.) with a sixth place finish in the women’s high jump.

Sackrider’s top mark of 40.82 meters (133′ 11″) broke the Evergreen school record. By placing third, Sackrider earned All-CCC honors. Earlier this year, Sackrider was named First Team All-CCC and Co-Defensive Player of the Year in women’s basketball.

On Saturday, she achieved her top throw in the second round of the finals. The toss surpassed her previous career-best of 39.09 meters (128′ 3″) and moved her into a medalist position in the standings. She was just .05 meter (2″) out of second place.

Aurora Parsons of Oregon Tech won the women’s discus with a toss of 42.42 meters (139′ 2″). Kaylee Wuest from College of Idaho was second at 40.87 meters (134′ 1″).

“It was a great second day at conference,” Evergreen Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett commented. “Jalyn ended her collegiate season with a stellar showing, hitting a school record and earning All-Conference!”

Parker cleared 1.63 meters (5′ 4.25″) in the women’s high jump to match two other competitors in a tie for fourth place. She took sixth place on jumps. The top three finishers also cleared an identical height, as each was successful at 1.69 meters (5′ 6.50″). Kayla Morgan from Corban University earned first place on jumps.

Three other Geoducks also competed during the second day of the CCC Championships.

Abigail Strickland (Sr.) was timed at 1:10.96 in the women’s 400-meter hurdles as she took 10th place. She set a new personal record in the event.

Izabelle Trefts (Jr.) participated in the women’s 5,000-meter run and registered a time of 19:40.87. Trefts won the women’s 5,000-meter race walk on Friday.

Max Baeder (So.), who competed in the men’s 10,000-meter run on Friday, followed up by racing in the men’s 5,000-meter run on Saturday. His time in the 5,000 was 16:16.08.

“I’m incredibly excited about today!” said Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson. “Corona had an excellent start to the day with a sixth place finish. Jalyn breaking 40 meters and destroying the school record by over a meter was so exciting to watch! Abigail continued to have a very successful meet with a season best in the 400 hurdles.”

The Geoducks tied for eighth place in the women’s team standings. University of British Columbia won the women’s team title. The Geoducks were 11th in the men’s team standings. Eastern Oregon University earned the men’s team championship.

Evergreen will conclude the season at the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The meet will be held in Marion, Indiana, on May 21-23.
 
Geoduck Performances at CCC Championships
Women’s 400-meter hurdles:  Abigail Strickland,1:10.96 (Season Best)
Women’s 5,000-meter race walk:  Izabelle Trefts, 23:55.48 (1st place, All-CCC)
Women’s 5,000-meter run: Izabelle Trefts, 19:40.87
Women’s 10,000-meter run:  Alauna Carstens, 37:36.40 (1st place, All-CCC)
Women’s Discus:  Jalyn Sackrider, 40.82m (133′ 11″; 3rd place, All-CCC, School Record)
Women’s Hammer:  Abigail Strickland, 42.14m (138′ 3″; School Record)
Women’s Hammer:  Claire Ryan, 35.28m (115′ 9″)
Women’s High Jump:  Corona Parker, 1.63m (5′ 4.25″; 6th place)
Men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase:  Rowan Hicks, 10:49.96
Men’s 5,000-meter race walk:  River Scheuerell, 16:13.92 (3rd place, All-CCC)
Men’s 5,000-meter run:  Max Baeder, 16:16.08
Men’s 10,000-meter run:  Max Baeder, 32:43.67 (3rd All-Time for TESC)
Men’s Hammer:  Paul Stewart, 38.27m (125′ 6″)