Micah Williams, Kemba Nelson Seek To Get Outdoor Season Started On Right Foot

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Phil Yearian photo

The University of Oregon will take a full squad to San Diego State's 43rd annual Aztec Invitational, which runs Thursday to Saturday. 

The Ducks will look to take advantage of warm weather and begin to scoop up qualifying marks in the first big outdoor opportunity of the season. 

Sprint stars Micah Williams and Kemba Nelson are both expected to double the 100/200 and also contribute in the 4x100 relays. 

Williams, a sophomore, ran his only collegiate 200 meters so far at last year's Aztec Invitational, when he ran 20.47 seconds. Teammates Xavier Nairne, Rieker Daniel and Ryan Mulholland are also entered in what could be a fast 200. 

WATCH THE LIVE WEBCAST OF THE 43RD AZTEC INVITATIONAL, SATURDAY, MARCH 26 WITH RUNNERSPACE +PLUS (MARCH 24 AND 25 EVENTS WILL BE RECORDED FOR ON-DEMAND)

Nelson, who owns a wind-legal best of 10.98 in the 100 meters, could put some pressure on a 40-year-old meet record in the event. The legendary Evelyn Ashford owns the meet record, 10.97, from 1982. 

In the 200, Nelson will be surrounded by teammates Iman Brown, Jasmin Reed, Jadyn Mays and Jasmine Montgomery -- all among the top eight entries in the event. 

San Diego State's Danae Dyer, the reigning Mountain West Conference champion in the 100-meter hurdles, will also get her first chance to compete outdoors. Dyer ran 12.99 wind-aided in 2021. The meet record is 13.10. DYESTAT DISCUSSION WITH DANAE DYER

Boise State's Kristie Schoffield, the Mountain West indoor champion in the 800 meters, is the top entry in that event and could have her sights on a 30-year-old meet record: Debbie Marshall's 2:05.89 from 1992.

Oregon freshman Shana Grebo, from France, is the top entry in the women's 400 meters and 400-meter hurdles. She's also entered in the 100-meter hurdles. 

Grebo advanced to the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships as part of Oregon's 4x400 relay, which finished 11th. 

California sophomore Asha Fletcher will be looking for wins in both the long jump and triple jump and is looking to build upon two outdoor meets already in March. 

Golden Bears freshman Mykolas Alekna has an early national lead in the men's discus rankings after throwing 205-6 at the Cardinal Classic last weekend. 

Another Cal thrower, Josh Johnson, is the top entry in the men's shot put. 

Nevada's Nicola Ader, a 2021 NCAA Division 1 Indoor qualifier, leads the list of women in the heptathlon and she has a personal-best 5,607 points.