University of Oregon
Hayward Field - University of Oregon
Skipper, Henry & Yurkovich Soar in Oregon Preview
03/18/06 | Track and Field
EUGENE - Juniors Tommy Skipper and Britney Henry and freshman Rachel Yurkovich wasted little time Saturday adding to the University of Oregon's rich track and history in the team's outdoor opener, the Oregon Preview, held at Hayward Field.
Overall, the UO men and women combined for two school records (1M, 1W), 12 regional qualifying marks (7M, 5W) and 16 wins (6M, 10W) in front of the largest Oregon Preview crowd in history. The historic venue welcomed a crowd of 4,291 Saturday - 924 more than the previous high (3,367, 1987) from available records.
"I enjoyed how our student-athletes were able to connect with the crowd in many ways," Oregon director of track and field Vin Lananna said. "This was a great beginning to the outdoor season, and I'm looking forward to welcoming larger crowds in future meets to cheer our teams, especially at the Pac-10 Championships here in Eugene in May. That meet will be a great climax to the home season, and a lead-in to other big meets like the NCAA West Regional and NCAA Championships."
In sunny, spring-like conditions, Skipper patiently waited for almost two hours for the rest of the 14-man pole vault field to take their chances at heights ranging from 14-9 to 17-2 3/4, before he opened the competition at exactly 19-0 (5.79 meters).
The recent NCAA indoor champion easily cleared the bar on his first and only attempt of the afternoon, and immediately enjoyed a lengthy celebration as he ran over to the east grandstand to embrace various friends, family and coaches. Moments later, he shared the occasion with the entire stadium on his victory lap.
"I couldn't have asked for better conditions," Skipper said. "The wind was wonderful and blowing down the pipe. When I got here initially, I was a little concerned that there might be a side- or headwind which would make it hard to make it on the first try, but it was great when I jumped. I came in rested and ready to go. Competing at indoor NCAA's last week didn't fatigue me, more so the 300-meter sprints that I had to do on Monday. After those, I was glad I didn't have to make another victory lap today."
Skipper had already owned the Duck all-time best with his meet, conference and regional record that won the 2004 NCAA West Regional in Northridge, Calif. (18-10 1/4).
"Clearing 19 feet took a big monkey off my back," Skipper said. "I didn't really feel like going any higher afterwards today. It's nice to sometimes clear a bar and be done. Unlike a race, it sometimes feel like you can never truly win in the pole vault - you just keep going higher until you miss. This was nice today, but I also have to move forward, so I can be at my best at the end of the season. I'm still doing some things wrong, and I have to keep perfecting my jumps. I want to become a consistent 19-foot vaulter, and I hope some day to start every meet at 19 feet. I'll keep moving on from here."
A week ago last Friday, Skipper raised an equal roar from the crowd in Fayetteville, Ark., with his win in the NCAA Indoor Championships (18-6 1/2). The third-year Duck also won the collegiate pole vault title indoors in ?05 (18-4 1/2) and outdoors in ?04 (18-8 1/4). In his other appearance in the collegiate indoor finale in ?04, he took second as a freshman (18-4 1/2) behind 2005 World Championships silver medalist Brad Walker.
"At the beginning of this week, I asked Coach what the plan was, and he said that I was coming in at 19 feet, so I said OK," Skipper said. "One of my goals this season was to start coming in a little higher - maybe 18-6 - but I never thought about that high of an opening height. Once I was out there on the runway, the height didn't bother me, and I did everything exactly the same with my technique."
"A pole vaulter only has about eight good jumps, so once you take 2-3 good warm-ups," Skipper continued, ?then three at the next heights you're almost maxed out. Our idea was to be fresh at that first bar. Coming in, I felt like I was hitting my peak with my fitness and speed, especially with the end of the indoor season last week. It felt a little weird getting here right when the event started at 1 pm, but that's what Coach told me to do, and we timed it really well. I again really have to thank the massage therapist and trainers for helping me jump. If it wasn't him for them and Coach Steele today wouldn't be possible."
Since he missed most of the ?05 season because of a knee injury, Skipper's vault Saturday was only his second over 18 feet at Hayward Field, with his other clearance from the 2004 Prefontaine Classic (18-4 1/2). Altogether in his career, he has now cleared 18 feet in five collegiate outdoor contests with the other four from his freshman season in ?04.
"Today was a huge day," Skipper said. "It's special to do this at home in front of my family and friends. It's amazing everytime you can compete at Hayward Field, since everyone seems to know you on a personal level. The people in the stadium know it's been a hard year for me at times. They appreciate the things that I've had to overcome with the help of my teammates, coaches, family and friends. As much as I want it for myself, I want it more for all the people in the crowd. It's a reward I can give to them for all their support."
In other field event action, redshirt junior and newcomer Colin Veldman donned the UO jersey for the first time and claimed regional qualifying marks in his wins in the hammer (190-11) and discus (179-3). The Fort Collins, Colo., native and Moorpark Junior College transfer would have also competed in the shot put if not for a schedule conflict, and owns the Ducks' best current personal best on the team in the event (58-10).
Another junior newcomer, Ryan Brandel notched a regional qualifier in the javelin (third, 202-7), as the Milwuakie, Ore., native and former Sacramento State athlete topped the regional mark of 202-1.
On the track, senior and four-time All-American Eric Mitchum won the 110-meter hurdles in his season debut (13.78, w:1.9). Freshman teammate and football cornerback Walter Thurmond III followed in second place in his UO outdoor debut (14.72) and was less than a half-second shy of the regional standard (14.30).
Among other regional qualifiers, redshirt sophomore Michael McGrath claimed his first career regional invitation in the 1,500 meters (second, 3:46.82), and trailed only Olympian and Portland resident Adam Goucher of the Nike Oregon Project (first, 3:45.95).
Senior Richard Del Rincon (400, 49.13) scored the UO men's other win, and other runners-up included seniors Matt Scherer (800, 1:51.89) and Jonathan Derby (pole vault, 16-8 3/4) and redshirt freshman and football offensive lineman Mark Lewis (shot put, 49-10).
On the women's side, another Portland area product, Rachel Yurkovich, enjoyed an auspicious Duck debut with a 10-foot javelin personal best on her first throw as a collegian (179-10, 54.82m) and won by more than 30 feet.
On other attempts, she threw 163-7, 158-4 and 171-6 on her second, third and fourth throws, respectively, as the new coaching staff unveiled a four-attempt format for various throws that shortened the meet schedule.
Freshman teammate Ashley McCrea followed in second place (148-5) and also earned an NCAA West Regional invitational as both cleared the 142-6 standard.
"It was a good effort, but I wish I could have backed it up with a few better throws," Yurkovich said. "I tried to keep my cool, and channel any nervous energy. My best throw felt OK, but I didn't think it was going to go that far. In the past, my best throws felt better when I let go of them. I feel stronger and faster than I've ever been, so as I put all together, I know I'll throw farther."
Yurkovich's mark moved her to second all-time for UO behind former Duck and 2005 NCAA runner-up Sarah Malone who broke the Hayward Field record last May in the West Regional with her winning mark (186-10). McCrea moved to eighth all-time for UO in the event for UO.
Both Duck newcomers were prep All-Americans last year and ranked first and second among high schoolers in ?05 with their prep bests of 176-5 and 158-6. Yurkovich's former best mark last season stood as a prep record and came in the Team XO Invitational at Hayward Field last April.
"I was excited to get the season underway," Yurkovich said. "At the end of last year I felt I was at my best, but I'm not to that point yet. It was an awesome feeling to take off the sweats and have the Oregon jersey on. Once I was on the runway I knew this was where I belong, my home. I guess you could say throwing the javelin is my job, and I'm blessed this is where I work. I'm really healthy right now, and have adjusted well to the new training program well. It's great to have Ashley and Elisa (Reynoso) out there so we can help each other. We always watch out for each other, since we know what each others' strengths and faults - every little tip helps."
The Duck women also enjoyed a school record of their own in the hammer as redshirt junior Britney Henry (first, 208-7) broke the former Duck mark by 9 feet, 4 inches Saturday.
The Spokane, Wash., native logged her daily best on her second throw and scratched her three other attempts. Team XO's Cari Soong followed in second place (205-1).
A redshirt for the Ducks last year, Henry, entered the meet as the top returning collegian nationally based on 2005 season bests (223-8), and last year's redshirt season best from a May meet at Stanford also ranked her fifth in the U.S. and 41st in the world.
Redshirt senior teammate Brittany Hinchcliffe (third, 199-3) also improved one inch on her former school record (199-2) which she threw in the 2005 Pepsi Team Invitational in Eugene last April, and was a foot off her all-time best from ?04 (200-3).
Both Ducks also met the regional qualifying standard (177-7) and will chase NCAA returns after they made NCAA appearances in 2004 and ?05, respectively.
Freshman Megan Maloney, a prep All-American in the event last year, followed in fourth place (168-1). The Barrington, Rhode Island native now ranks 11th all-time for UO, and was less than two feet off her prep best (169-10) from ?05.
Junior pole vaulter Emily Enders exactly met the regional qualifying standard with her winning clearance (12-5 1/2).
Senior Lauryn Jordan competed unattached and claimed victories and personal bests in the 200 meters (25.33) and 100-meter hurdles (14.27). The returning NCAA heptathlon veteran added another personal best in the triple jump (41-0 1/2) that was slightly better than her prior PR from ?05 (40-11 1/2) that ranks her fourth all-time for the Ducks.
On the track, redshirt senior Sara Schaaf sliced 6.75 seconds off her personal best in the 1,500 meters en route to the win (4:31.39), and was less than four seconds off the regional qualifying mark (4:27.80).
Fellow indoor All-America distance medley relay teammates Amber McGown and Dana Buchanan also ran personal bests to lead the Ducks in the 800 meters (first, 2:13.00) and 3,000 meters (third, 9:38.09), respectively.
Other Oregon women's winners included freshman Leah Worthen (100 meters, 12.56), sophomore Kasey Harwood (400-meter hurdles, 60.73) and the 4x400-meter relay of Schaaf, redshirt sophomore Irie Searcy, redshirt freshman Kalindra McFadden and freshman Leah Worthen (3:48.51).
Searcy added personal bests earlier in the day in the 100 meters (fourth, 12.65) and 200 meters (fourth, 25.50), and McFadden paced the team in the high jump (5-3 3/4) and was just behind in the 200 (fifth, 25.51).
"Our coaches stress how important it is for our athletes to take advantage of every opportunity we compete, and many of four athletes stepped up," Lananna said. "Tommy (Skipper) showed how much he loves to compete here, and had an outstanding performance that will be remembered for a long time. Hopefully this meet was a big indicator for him and all of our vaulters for the outdoor season. I was really pleased with how our throws unit is coming together. Colin (Veldman), Rachel (Yurkovich), Britney (Henry) and Brittany (Hinchcliffe) obviously had impressive openers, and they'll continue to improve since they've been working very hard. Several of our other event areas are on pace and wil have their chance to shine in upcoming meets."
Complete results are available at the UO athletic department www.GoDucks.com website.
Looking ahead, the Duck men and women will send members from their sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws corps to the Trojan Invitational, hosted by USC next Saturday, March 25 at Loker Stadium in Los Angeles.
The following weekend, many of the Oregon distance runners will compete in the Stanford Invitational at Stanford University, Friday-Saturday, March 31-April 1 at Cobb Track and Angell Field.
More information on those meets are available at the www.USCtrojans.com and www.GoStanford.com websites.
Players Mentioned
