Newberg's Sophia Castaneda and Dax Duggan compete at Nike Outdoor Nationals

Newberg track and field's Sophia Castaneda and Dax Duggan returned to Hayward Field just under a month removed from their successful outings at the OSAA 6A state championships, competing at Nike Outdoor Nationals against some of the best athletes from across the country.

Castaneda ran in the 400 meter championship division, finishing sixth overall in 54.53 seconds. She clocked in with the second-fastest time from Oregon, as Lake Oswego's Josie Donelson finished second. Castaneda's time was the fastest posted by a sophomore in the discipline.

Her personal best of 54.17, which she ran at the Pacific Conference Championships on May 9, makes her the 13th-fastest sophomore in the country this season.

Meanwhile, Duggan participated in the 400-meter hurdles, crossing in a personal best of 56.37, finishing 25th overall. He posted the second-fastest time from an Oregon runner, improving by over two seconds from his result in the event last year.