Marshfield got off to its traditional fast start at the Midwestern League district track and field championships on Wednesday, taking the early team leads and qualifying eight different athletes for next week’s Class 5A state meet.

The event concludes Friday at Silke Field in Springfield.

The Pirates continued their domination of the pole vault, claiming both individual titles. Moriah Roberge broke the girls meet record by clearing 11 feet, 10 inches. Meanwhile, Greg Eckes cleared a personal-best 15-6 to win the boys title, and teammate Justin Kirk was second.

Marshfield’s Jared Bassett also had a personal best while winning the 3,000 meters in 8 minutes, 41.10 seconds. Kris Muse finished second in the discus to also earn a state berth.

Ali Worthen got the first of what she hopes will be four individual titles for Marshfield’s girls, soaring 18 feet, 1/2 inch in the long jump.

Hannah Francis won the discus and Jana Sadler finished second in the 3,000 for the Pirates.

The Marshfield boys scored 55 points on the first day, leading Springfield by eight points and Thurston by 11. The only big disappointment for the Pirates was that Levi Meline, the favorite in the high jump, just missed a trip to state, finishing third. Both Meline and Thurston’s Edward Woodfork cleared 6 feet, but Woodfork won the state berth based on fewer misses.

Marshfield’s girls had 51 points, while Thurston had 34 and North Eugene 33.

Marshfield’s boys are expected to be in a tight battle for the team title with Thurston. Marshfield’s girls, meanwhile, will try to hold off pre-meet favorite Thurston, which is expected to have a big day Friday.

BASEBALL

Bulldogs get win

North Bend shut out host Junction City 7-0 in a playoff tuneup game Wednesday.

Bryce Weidman pitched a five-hitter with eight strikeouts for the Bulldogs. Skyler Walton, Dalton Iveans and Ethan Ottemiller all hit solo home runs.

Walton and Iveans had three hits each, and Ottemiller and Bruce Ohlrich both went 2-for-4. Walton and Ohlrich had doubles.