Personal, program and complex records were broken in the first outdoor meet of the Oregon State Women’s Track and Field team on Friday; a good sign for the Beavers’ 2026 season.
The OSU Pacific Northwest Invite meet at Whyte Track and Field hosted teams from around the region.
The Beavers came out with a force setting historic records on the first day of competition.
“For the opener, for March 20th, we are way ahead of schedule,” Head Coach Louie Quintana said. “I think we just really took advantage of the energy.”
In her 400 meter hurdle debut as an attached athlete, redshirt freshman Megan Hatcher recorded a personal best, charging through the finish line at 1:00.80 to take second place.
The time also catapults her to No. 8 in Oregon State history for the event.
Similar to her coach, Hatcher emphasized the importance of energy and having fun as building blocks to success.
“My coach told me to have fun, so I listened to that,” Hatcher said after her race. “I just want us…to go into our races happy and excited, no matter the outcome.”
Hatcher will not be alone in the record book. Bea Pettersson threw 180’3” to take second place in the hammer throw. The throw increased the sophomore’s overall position in OSU history in the hammer throw, capturing the No. 6 longest throw in program history.
The 1500 meter represented a staggering 11 athletes in orange and black. Ainsley Herron and Ruby Broadbent both took home personal best performances in the race, chasing down their redshirt teammate, Maya Baechler, who won the event.
Herron recorded a 4:17.68 which is the third best time in program history. Broadbent slides into the No. 5 spot in program history with a 4:18.98 time.
If Baechler was not a redshirt and running unattached, her time of 4:15.94 would also cement her in Oregon State history. Redshirt Olivia Chamizo threw for the hammer throw unattached and captured third place with a 165’11” throw.
“We have such a great, talented young squad that we’re building for the new Pac-12 next year,” Quintana said after the event. “This year, no conference gives us an opportunity…we want to see development”
Historic records were not only broken, several other Beaver personal records were broken on Friday.
Callie Brands took the 200 meter by storm, placing eighth overall from heat six with a personal best of 25.12 seconds. Kate Laurent recorded a personal best in the 1500 as well.
The Beavers will be back at Whyte on March 21 as they compete in day two of the meet. Day two will feature the following events:
- Pole Vault (11:30 am)
- Javelin (1:40 pm)
- Long Jump (1:45 pm)
- Shot Put (1:55 pm)
- 100m Hurdles (2:05 pm)
- 400 Meters (2:34 pm)
- 100 Meters (3:14 pm)
- 800 Meters (4:24 pm)
- 4x400m Relay (4:44 pm)
