2011 USATF National Championships (Day 2-Men's 3KSC Semi-Finals)-Eugene, OR

Andrew Benford (Ravenswood HS, WV) capped a stellar career for the Richmond Spiders with his 15th place finish at the 2011 USATF National Championships in the 3000M Steeplechase.  Benford placed 8th in Heat #2 (RESULTS HERE) with a time of 8:50.05 to miss by 1 place of qualifying for the event final.  His time was well off his personal best set in the first round of the NCAA Championships (8:39.71). 

Two weeks ago Benford earned 2nd team All-America honors in the event at the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, IA where he also finished 15th narrowly missing the event final by 0.11.  Earlier this season he also won the Penn Relays 3K Steeplechase Championship in April and ran 13:55 for the 5,000M race at the Mt SAC Relays. (Mike Scott Photo)

Early in the race Benford was in 12th place in his heat passing splits of 69.0 at 400M, 2:18.8 at 800M , 3:28.6 at 1200M and 4:39.5 at 1600M... (Mike Scott Photo)

He was still with a large pack in 11th place at 2000m (5:51.2)...(Mike Scott Photo)

Another photo of just passed the 2000M mark...(Mike Scott Photo)

...With 600M to go he started to move...but was still in 11th in his heat at 2400m (7:04.1)...
(Mike Scott Photo)

...With 150M remaining he was rolling...(Mike Scott Photo)

...but would come up just short of qualifying for finals finishing 8th (8:50.05) in his heat and 15th over-all.  The top 14 advanced to the final of the event e held on Saturday.  (Mike Scott Photo)

...Nike is paying attention to the Spiders...we were introduced to the newest shoe in the NIKE line...
The NIKE Lunar SPIDER!!!

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SALT CREEK FALLS

and DIAMOND CREEK FALLS

Before our athletes got up moving, Jon Molz, Lori, Luke and me headed south of Eugene to area of Lane County to view Salt Creek Falls and Diamond Creek Falls.  The latter would require a short hike/run to get to.  Located west of Willamette Pass, just off of Highway 58 the falls would not disappoint... 



Salt Creek Falls drops 286 feet and ranks as the 2nd highest falls in Oregon...The waterfall was discovered by Frank S. Warner and Charles Tufti, his guide, in March of 1887. It's named after a series of springs with a high salt content often used as salt licks by area wildlife. Even though the falls are located within relatively close proximity to Eugene, this area was more or less wilderness until road improvements provided an avenue through the mountains.

IMO...Salt Creek creates one of the most impressive waterfalls in Oregon.  It drops 286 feet into a gaping canyon.  According to posted information signs, "glaciers scoured the valley out during the last Ice Age, then following their retreat, lava flows filled in a portion of the valley, creating the narrow canyon walls composed of columnar basalt that are now seen at the falls."

One of the seemingly countless trails from the parking lot...

Salt Creek Falls has a heavy flow from the large snow melt...

The drop into the canyon is impressive and standing along the edge gives you a bit of a thrill...

The best view is below the parking area...A short run is all it takes...

The mist from the falls filled the canyon...

It's impressive and worth the effort...

Spider Assistant Coach, Jon Molz shown running up out of the Canyon below Salt Creek Falls... 

Coach Jon Molz makes it look easy...The photo does not do the steepness justice...

Jon Molz running back from Diamond Creek Falls...

Coach Jon Molz....

One of the unique bridges and stairs Jon Molz encountered on his way to Vivian Lake...

Diamond Creek Falls is about 2 miles in by trail...An easy hike and a quick run.

Jon  Molz encounter a lot of snow...It's the end of June and there is still over 4 feet on the ground in places!!  It was only 43 degrees on this day.

43 degree temperatures and low hanging clouds kept it mighty cool...

An unnamed waterfall Jon Molz ran into on his 90 minute run through the mountains...

The mountains are steep...and the views are tremendous...

Luke on his way up the mountain in search of our destination...Diamond Creek Falls...

Luke followed by Lori on the Diamond Creek Falls Trail...

One of the many over-looks on the trail to Diamond Creek Falls...

No trouble following the trail...

Another one of the foot bridges made out of a log...

Everything is steep with big drops...Not the time to loose your footing.

Diamond Creek Falls from the top...

There was an odd moss growing on some of the trees...I've never seen anything in the wild so bright.  It was nearly florescent yellow.

Luke in front of a huge fur tree...

Luke decided he wanted to run off the mountain with Coach Molz...So...off they went leaving his mom and dad behind...Oooh a foreshadow of what's to come....Yep, they grow up too quick...

When we caught up to Luke and Jon at one of the over-looks along the trail they took off running down the mountain..

Back at Salt Creek Falls Luke decided he wanted to go below for a better view..

Nothing like living on the edge...

Luke chasing Coach Molz as they run down for a better view of Salt Creek Falls...

Jon Molz and Luke about halfway down...

Lori, Luke and Me near the bottom of Salt Creek Falls...

Luke running back up out with Jon...who said he never walked...

Standing on the edge...

The snow melt has Salt creek flowing with high volume...

Luke and Lori back at the top of Salt Creek Falls...

Luke and Me...

At one of the fish hatcheries on the way we saw this map carved out of a solid piece of wood.  The map is nearly 5 feet tall and 15 feet long...A mighty huge tree to make this map...