The Prefontaine Classic 2025 wrapped up last weekend at Hayward following the boom of fireworks and the scent of BBQ on July 5.
Springfield legend Maria Mutola was celebrated, with the 800-meter race named in her honor. Now retired, the Mozambique athlete was known as one of the greatest 800-meter racers of her time in the 1990s. She won 16 Prefontaine Classic races. 12 in the 800 meters with her last on June 8, 2008.
There were no athletes within The Chronicle’s coverage area; however, there was a small crew of Oregon natives who represented the state. Kaylee Mitchell from Salem earned eighth in the 3000-meter Steeplechase with a personal best of 9.08.66. Medford native Jaida Ross earned third in the shot put, throwing a personal best of 20.13. Both Mitchell and Ross competed in the Diamond League Discipline – the division where athletes earn points towards the Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland. …
Elsewhere, Tyler Raven of Thurston broke the Colts’ school record in the triple jump at the USATF Junior Olympic Region 13 in Spokane, Wash., on Sunday. Raven was second with a jump of 47 7 3/4, breaking the old record of 46′ 9 by Brian Imlach set in 1999. … In June, Alex Moulton of Hamlin Middle School broke the school record in the long jump with a distance of 16-7. The previous 40-year-old record had stood since 1985, at 16-3.5.
Challengers win annual tourney
The Challengers won the annual Papa’s Pizza American Legion Championship for the second year in a row last weekend. They earned a 12-0 shutout win after only five innings with the Barbers.
The team is off to a fast start. In their championship game on Sunday, they entered 32-3 and won their past four games by a combined 45-13.
Rising Thurston senior Grady Saunders will be playing at the Perfect Game National Showcase on the “Orange Team” from July 7-11 in Arizona. Perfect Game USA is the world’s largest baseball scouting service and a leading organization in amateur baseball. College coaches and MLB scouts attend the tournament.
Commitments and Summer Camps
Pleasant Hill’s Will Sheava signed with the College of the Redwoods to continue his baseball career. … Rising junior and Creswell volleyball standout Piper Hanson committed to the University of Oregon. … Braden Corgain of Thurston committed to Lewis-Clark State College.
Pleasant Hill announced two summer camps. There will be a Pleasant Hill youth football camp from Aug. 4-7, 4-5:30 p.m. This camp welcomes football players from 3rd to 8th grade. New football coach Kenny Koberstein will oversee the camp and teach skill development in all areas of the game. Cost per participant is $25.
Special Olympics
Oregon State University in Corvallis will host the Special Olympics Oregon Summer State Games for the second time this year, beginning this week, July 12-13. These games serve as the state-level competitions for athletics, bocce, golf, and softball.
McKenzie Days covers high school and local sports for The Chronicle.
