CLACKAMAS, Ore. – A personal best mark by Josh Alejandre was overshadowed by a monster day by Oregon Tech assistant coach Hunter Drops, as the Hustlin' Owls competed on Day 1 of the Larry Byerly Invitational.
 
With host Lewis & Clark not having a throws area, the hammer and javelin were conducted today at Clackamas Community College – with the remainder of the meet to take place on the L&C campus on Saturday.
 
Alejandre placed seventh overall in the javelin, with his heave of 48.62 meters (159 feet, 6 inches) nearly nine feet beyond his mark from last weekend at the Humboldt Invite. Eli Stevens recorded a mark of 40.99 meters (134 feet, 11 inches) and Tristan Valadez posted a throw of 26.51 meters (86 feet, 8 inches) to round out the OIT competitors.
 
Winning the event was Drops – competing unattached – outdistancing the field with a 1-step throw of 61.89 meters (203 feet), which would rank No. 8 on the NAIA top mark list. The third-year assistant won the 2018 NAIA national title in the event while competing for the Hustlin' Owls.
 
In the hammer, Hunter Enick led the OIT competitors, recording a mark of 40.33 meters (132 feet, 3 inches), with Valadez adding a throw of 27.08 meters (88 feet, 10 inches).
 
Day 2 of the meet starts tomorrow at 9 a.m.