SMU’s Porter, Neale take first at GNAC meet

Two Saint Martin’s University women’s track and field athletes won individual titles on the final day of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference outdoor championships at Western Oregon University.

Shannon Porter won the women’s 5,000 meters — her second race of the day — at 16 minutes, 42.14 seconds. That’s about 10 seconds off her personal-best time. She holds the SMU record in the event at 16:32.03. Earlier in the day, she finished second in the 1,500 (4:32.95)

Kirby Neale took first in the women’s hammer throw with a toss of 163 feet, 5 1/4 inches on her second attempt. Her school-record throw of 174-2 was set earlier this season.

The women’s team finished ninth with 35 points. Seattle Pacific won the women’s team title with 150  1/2.

The SMU men’s team finished eighth with 47 1/2 points, while Alaska Anchorage took the title with 163 1/2.

Eight athletes on the SMU men’s team scored points for the Saints. In the men’s hammer throw, Kauanoe Vanderpoel (fourth at 167-4 1/4), Mitch Wilkens (fifth at 166-8 1/4) and Vincent Fualefau (sixth at 165-8 1/2) all placed.

Mikel Smith tied for second in the high jump at 6-5.

Latrelle Swayne finished seventh in both the 100 (11.35) and 200 (23.4). Jackson Hand took fourth in the 200 (22.7).

Recovering from a hamstring injury at last week’s GNAC combined events championships, David Durden finished seventh in the 400 hurdles (58.97) and seventh in the javelin (167-6).

Brian Chalkley finished fifth in the javelin (187-11 1/4).

This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 7:59 PM with the headline "SMU’s Porter, Neale take first at GNAC meet."