Molalla’s Craven snags two titles at state meet
Published 5:35 pm Sunday, June 1, 2025
- Molalla track's Peyton Craven takes first place in the 300 meter hurdles during the OSAA 4A State Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon on May 31, 2025. (Austin White)
The senior, who is headed to OSU as a heptathlete, captured both hurdles races and added long and high jump medals
The 2025 Molalla High School track and field season came to a close Saturday at Hayward Field in Eugene, finishing off two days of the Class 4A state meet.
When it was over, Molalla’s Peyton Craven, who may not have gotten all she’d hoped for, demonstrated firmly that she’s one of the best athletes at any level in the state.
Craven captured the 100 and 300 hurdles events, setting a meet record for the 100 in 14.32 seconds and shaving more than two seconds off her personal best in the 300s. She was third in the high jump, where she was the defending champion coming in, and snagged a second-place finish in the long jump.
Add all that up and toss in Mackenzie Ball’s fifth place finish in the 100 hurdles, and the Indians tied for fifth in the meet with 38 total points.
For Craven, day two of the state meet was a nice change from a first day where she thought she’s left something on the table.
“I was a little upset with the long jump, I think I could have definitely jumped better,” she said, noting she was motivated for the final day and the subsequent two state titels. “I just came out and I was mentally ready and just prepared to work my hardest. Definitely a great second day coming in from a not-so-great first day. It was definitely awesome.”
On the boys’ side, the highlights came in the javelin where Brandon Roberson (4th) and Merik Tayler (7th) made the podium. Molalla’s 7 points left it in 24th place overall.
Molalla’s Peyton Craven 4A High Jump at the 2025 State Track Championships. (Jonathan House / Portland Tribune)
Here’s a look at Molalla’s top performances at the state meet:
Girls
100 Hurdles: 1st) Peyton Craven, 14.32 (Meet record), 5th), Mackenzie Ball, 15.60.
300 Hurdles: 1st) Peyton Craven, 44.16.
High jump: 3rd) Peyton Craven, 5-2.5.
Long jump: 2nd) Peyton Craven, 18-1.5.
Boys
Javelin: 4th) Brandon Roberson, 173-5, 7th) Merik Taylor, 157-5.
