Owen Lanning is Blue Mtn. Sports Awards Finalist

WALLA WALLA – Former Waitsburg-Prescott track star, Owen Lanning, was honored as one of five finalists for Male Athlete of the Year during the 40th annual Blue Mountain Sports Awards in Walla Walla on May 11.

Lanning, a freshman, participates in multiple track and field events for Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, including the 110 meter hurdles, 400 meter, 1600 relay, long jump, and javelin.

Lanning also captured a Frontier Conference Men's Track and Field Athlete of the Week award in March. He was credited with competing in thirteen events over three days. On the first two days he competed in his first ever collegiate decathlon, scoring just shy of a national qualifying point total, finishing with 4,892. On day three he competed in the Willamette Invitational where he competed in the triple jump (12.20m: 40-0.5), long jump (5.73m; 18-9.75) and ran on the 4X400m relay (3:30.63).

Lanning concluded his last track meet as a freshman in Salem, Ore. earlier this month. In both indoor and outdoor seasons he met the national qualifying standards in the multi-events, pentathlon, and decathlon.

"Owen hates when I brag about him, but I'm a very proud mom," said Lanning's mom and Waitsburg track coach, Joanna Lanning.