University of Oregon
NCAA West Regional
Eaton's Leap Leads Ducks' Day at NCAA West Regional
05/28/10 | Track and Field
AUSTIN, Texas -- "Eugene! Eugene! Eugene!"
That's where senior Ashton Eaton is headed following a huge leap in the long jump and that's what freshman Jordan Hasay kept telling herself Thursday during the first round of the women's 1,500 meters at a hot and humid Mike A. Myers Stadium.
It served well as the credo for the entire Ducks' track and field contingent at this NCAA West Regional, as the goal this weekend is to advance to the 2010 NCAA Championships June 9-12 at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
"It was a good day," said Oregon Associate Athletic Director Vin Lananna. "This is more of a survival test. Nothing unanticipated happened."
Eaton, who was already locked into the national championships in the decathlon, jumped 26-4.5 on his second attempt in the men's long jump. That was a six-inch personal best for the Bend, Ore., native and a mark that ranked second all-time in school history, trailing only Latin Berry's 1989 record of 26-8.5.
He finished second by a half inch to Texas' Marquise Gooden, who went 26-5.
"I am a fast guy, so I thought I should try that technique," Eaton said of his faster approach. "I got pretty excited."
The men's long jump also provided an unexpected highlight for the Ducks.
Vernell Warren, seeded 44th of 48 competitors coming into the Regional, set a seasonal-best 24-10.5 on his final attempt to move up from 13th to ninth and advance to the finals in Eugene.
"It's finally coming together at the right time," said Warren, a junior from Portland, Ore.
Hasay and the rest of the 1,500 meter runners got Oregon off to a good start on Thursday, as all seven men's and women's runners advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals.
In the women's 1,500, Hasay, a freshman from Arroyo Grande, Calif., had the top qualifying time, winning her heat in 4:20.45, while senior Zoe Buckman had the second fastest time overall, winning her race in 4:23.16. Junior Alexandra Kosinksi also advanced by placing second in her race in 4:23.37.
"The last 800 (meters) to go, I gave it a little something extra," said Hasay. "I'm excited for the next round and I'm even more excited for the rounds in Eugene."
On the men's side, junior A.J. Acosta had the top qualifying time, taking his heat in 3:42.76. Andrew Wheating also won his heat in 3:43.90, which was the third-fastest qualifier. Matthew Centrowitz and Mac Fleet made it four-for-four in the 1,500. Centrowitz, a sophomore from Arnold, Md., took second in his heat in 3:50.27, while Fleet, a freshman from San Diego, Calif., took fifth - the last automatic qualifying spot - in his race in 3:45.08.
Wheating successfully navigated through the first day of his 800-1,500 double. Following the 1,500, the senior from Norwich, Vt., came back and won his heat in 1:49.45 to advance to Friday's quarterfinals. Wheating will be joined by freshman Elijah Greer, who won his heat in 1:49.23, and junior Travis Thompson, who ran third in his heat in 1:48.81.
"It felt a lot better this evening," said Wheating of the cooler conditions. "Fifteen degrees makes a huge difference.
"I got through both races and I feel pretty good, so mission accomplished," he said.
In the women's 800 meters, freshman Anne Kesselring won her heat in 2:07.61, while freshman Becca Friday took second in her heat in 2:07.23 as both advanced to Friday's quarterfinals. Freshman Chloe Steinbeck was fifth in her heat in 2:09.24 and did not move on.
"It felt good and I'm ready for tomorrow," said Kesselring, from Nurnberg, Germany.
While the 800 and 1,500 runners will have quarterfinals the next two days, three Ducks joined Eaton and Warren in punching their tickets for the NCAA Championships in the field events. Cyrus Hostetler and Alex Wolff advanced in the men's javelin, while Melissa Gergel moved on to Eugene in the women's pole vault.
Hostetler, a senior from Newberg, Ore., finished fifth overall at 228-7, while Wolff, a junior from Newberg, Ore., was sixth at 227-3. Senior Mike Simmons had a top throw of 205-10, while junior Britton Nelson threw 200-7 and neither advanced to the final round.
While Hostetler had a relatively easy path to Eugene - his second throw was good enough to finish in the top 12 and advance, though he uncorked his best effort on his last attempt for good measure - Wolff needed a big improvement on his third attempt just to make Thursday's finals, of which the top 12 qualified for Eugene.
"I knew that I needed a big throw, so I zoned in on it and had to get it done," said the junior from Newberg, Ore., "I was pretty excited.
"Every throw was a struggle," said Wolff. "It was slick and hot. I've just got to thank God that Cyrus and I got through to the next round."
Gergel fought through blisters on both hands and a third attempt clearance at 13-7.25 before becoming one of nine vaulters to clear the bar at 13-9.25 and automatically advance on to Eugene. Junior Jordan Roskelley just missed advancing. Her best bar was 13-1.5.
"I think I got a million blisters today," said Gergel, a junior from Glenwood, Ill., "I just had to buckle down and do what I had to do.
"It was rough, but I made it," said Gergel. "I'll take it."
Three more Ducks qualified for Eugene in the 10,000 meters. For the women, seniors Nicole Blood and Mattie Bridgmon advanced. Blood was seventh in 34:33.32 and Bridgmon was ninth in 34:34.79. Senior Lauren Zaludek was 36th in 36:32.25. For the men, sophomore Luke Puskedra grabbed the 12th and final spot for the finals in Eugene, running 29:47.54.
Junior Mandy White advanced to Friday's quarterfinals in the women's 100 meters by running a legal personal best 11.67. That time was third in her preliminary heat and was the fifth fastest 100 in school history. Senior Chad Barlow advanced to Friday's quarterfinals in the men's 400 meter by finishing fourth in his heat in a seasonal-best 46.84.
Senior Keshia Baker won her heat in the women's 400 meters in 52.67 to advance to Friday's quarterfinal.
In other races, sophomore Lynsday Pearon was fifth in her heat of the women's 400 meter hurdles in 1:01.42, while junior David Klech, fighting illness, was eighth in his heat of the men's 400 hurdles in 57.02. Neither runner advanced.
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