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Helgerson, Metcalf land track honors WEST PALM BEACH -- Southern Oregon University produced two All-Americans and advanced all of their athletes to today's semifinals at the NAIA Track and Field Championships in West Palm Beach, Fla. Janae Helgerson and Bob Metcalf claimed All-American honors on the first day of the three-day competition. Helgerson threw the javelin 145 feet, 10 inches to place second. Metcalf's 173-4 throw in the hammer was good for fifth place. The top six placers in each event are accorded All-American status. Southern Oregon's women's 400-meter relay team of Laura Lincoln, Tiwana Merritt, Kena Page and Erica Harris blazed to a school-record clocking of 48.68 seconds. Their time was .52 seconds faster than their previous best time of 49.20. Lincoln clocked in at 15.1 in the 100-meter hurdle preliminaries to advance to the semifinals. Merritt's 57.02 in the 400 meters qualified her for the semifinals. Harris also advanced to the semifinals in the 400 with a 58.13. On the men's side, Mat Davis ran a 48.2 in the 400 meters to qualify for the semifinals. Today's competition will also include the finals of the women's long jump and discus. The Raiders' Nicole Robertson will take her shot at the discus, while Page is scheduled for the long jump. "We have several athletes competing tomorrow," SOU coach Dale Fisher said. "Today was a good day. All of our athletes in the track events made it to the semis. "I was extremely pleased. We are sitting pretty well. I can't remember the last time that we had everyone advance in the running events." With 11 competitors, Southern Oregon sent its largest contingent since 1994 to the national championships. Eight of the 11 are ranked in the top 10 in their events. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.