NCAA Indoor Dash Champions Micah Williams, Kemba Nelson Get First Crack At New Spokane Facility

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Phil Ponder photo

A busy weekend at the new indoor track in Spokane, The Podium, begins Friday with the Cougar Classic Invitational and Open, which will run through Saturday. 

Oregon and UCLA will join Pac-12 Conference member Washington State, the meet host, in a competition that includes large contingents from Gonzaga, Idaho, Montana, Fresno State and others. 

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Oregon brings three reigning NCAA indoor champions to the meet. Sophomore Micah Williams, the men's 60-meter champion and a U.S. Olympic 4x100 relay alternate, will get his 2022 season started. He is on the entry list for the 60. 

Women's 60-meter champion and collegiate record holder Kemba Nelson is also entered, and listed in both the 60 and 200. 

NCAA triple jump champion Emmanuel Ihemeje is listed in the 60 meters and the long jump, but not his specialty. 

The Podium, which opened to comeptition last month, gives the Northwest its first permanent 200-meter banked track. The venue will host its first high school meet on Sunday and then will see additional college meets ahead of the USATF Indoor Championships, Feb. 26-27. 

Oregon freshman Jasmine Montgomery is expected to make her collegiate debut in the 60 and 200. Montgomery was the Texas state 6A champion in the 100 and 200 last spring for San Antonio Reagan and won the national title in the 100 meters at The Outdoor Championships presented by Nike at Hayward Field. 

Unlike last year, Oregon appears to be holding its fire with its distance runners. Most of the Ducks competing this weekend are sprinters and field event athletes. 

The open sections that take up the bulk of the day on Friday and will be populated primarily by smaller local colleges.