Track Teams Ready for 17th Pepsi Team Invitational
EUGENE - Oregon renews its scored-meet track and field tradition this week with the 17th annual Pepsi Team Invitational, Saturday, April 8 at Hayward Field. The UO men and women will aim for their 11th and 12th team titles, respectively, in the annual fan favorite.
The Minnesota men took second in their previous appearances in 2003 and ?04, while Boise State and Penn State will make their debuts in the quadrangular. Oregon will renew a men’s rivalry vs. Washington that dates back to 1900, and UO holds a 64-33 mark all-time advantage in regular-season scored competitions (ie duals, triangulars or quadrangulars). The UO women will square off vs. UW for the 36th time since 1977, and Oregon leads the series, 30-5 (with wins in 11 of last 13 meetings).
Last year the Duck men won their 10th team crown with 180 1/2 points, and edged Washington (second, 169 1/2), Indiana (third-tie, 140 1/2) and Missouri (third-tie, 140 1/2). The UO women fell just shy of the win with 171 points, a half-point behind Missouri (first, 171 1/2), and ahead of Washington (third, 164 1/2) and Indiana (fourth, 107). Individually, the Ducks accounted for 13 wins (seven women, six men), 21 regional qualifiers (nine women, 12 men) and two women’s school records courtesy of Brittany Hinchcliffe (hammer, 199-2) and Bree Fuqua (shot put, 53-11 3/4).
Looking ahead, the Ducks will send a scaled-back crew of sprinters, jumpers and throwers to the Mt. SAC Relays, in Los Angeles, Thu.-Sat., April 13-15.
The following week, the Ducks compete at home in a revamped Oregon Invitational that kicks off with a decathlon at noon on both Thu.-Fri., April 20-21. A Friday evening elite athlete distance carnival will welcome many of the nation’s top collegians and post-collegians, followed by a high performance session Saturday afternoon that runs from approximately 2:00-5:30 pm.
Last weekend, the Oregon M&W distance runners wrapped up their spring break trip with six regional qualifying marks in the Stanford Invitational, Fri.-Sat., March 31-April 1, including impressive marks from 1,500 meters entries Amber McGown (fourth, 4:21.30) and Dana Buchanan (ninth, 4:23.88) and 3,000-meter steeplechaser Chris Winter (seventh, 9:04.74).
The weekend before in the Trojan Invitational at USC, Sat., March 25, junior and NCAA veteran Emily Enders upped her pole vault personal best by 2 1/2 inches with her winning mark (13-5 3/4). UO’s other women’s win came from freshman Rachel Yurkovich (javelin, 174-0) who was one of six Duck women that scored regional marks. At L.A. on the men’s side, four-time All-American and senior Eric Mitchum claimed a .13-second season best in the 110-meter hurdles en route to the win (13.65, w:0.9) and was one of six regional qualifiers.
This Weekend's Meet Information
Meet: Pepsi Team Invitational
Date: Saturday, April 8
Location: Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore.
Edition: 17th Annual (first meet: 1987)
Duck Team Wins:
M-10 (1987, 90, 92, 93, 95, 97, 98, 03, 04, 05)
W-11 (1987, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98, 03, 04).
First Field Event: 11:40 am, Women’s Javelin
First Running Event: 12:05 pm, Men’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Last Event: 3:25 pm, Men’s 4x400-meter Relay
Results Website: www.GoDucks.com
Opponents (Website): Boise State (www.BroncoSports.com), Minnesota (Men only) (www.GopherSports.com), Penn State (Women only) (www.goPSUsports.com), Washington (www.GoHuskies.com)
Scoring:
Individual Events (points) - 1st (9), 2nd (7), 3rd (6), 4th (5), 5th (4), 6th (3), 7th (2), 8th (1);
Relays - 1st (9), 2nd (7), 3rd (6), 4th (5).
Note: Maximum two scorers per event, per team
Special Collection: The UO Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) has taken Bailey Santana, an 8 year-old girl diagnosed with cancer, under their wing and declared her their UO Duckling. At the remaining home track and field meets in ?06, student-athletes will collect donations for medical expenses for hurdler Amanda Santana’s younger sister.
Promotions: First Pepsi Team Invitational T-Shirt to first 1,000 fans. Bi-Mart Family Ticket Deal (Show Bi-Mart card at entry, and pay $10 for two adults and unlimited kids). Victory Lap T-shirts
Single Meet Tickets: Reserved $7; General Admission - $5 Adult, $3 Children (ages 2-17) and Senior Citizens (62 or older). $2 per person group rates (10 or more). Call 346-4461 locally or 1-800-WEB-FOOT. The ticket office in the Bowerman Building on the northwest side of the track on 15th Avenue will open an hour before the first event.
Morning All-Comers Mini-Meet: The Oregon Track Club will sponsore a free morning all-comers mini-meet from 9-11 am. More meet information is available in the 'Meet Info' link the ARTICLE LINKS box above to the right.
NEW BOOK UNVEILED: Author Kenny Moore Will Present First Copy to Barbara Bowerman
This week’s fans will receive a special bonus as former UO distance runner and Olympian Kenny Moore will unveil his long-awaited book about famous UO track and field coach Bill Bowerman entitled “Bowerman and the Men of Oregon”, and will personally deliver the first copy to Bowerman’s widow Barbara at a special ceremony during the meet. Just after the men’s 400 meters Saturday at approximately 1:32 p.m. on Saturday, a short presentation ceremony at track-side will include Bowerman and members of her family, Moore, and book publisher Heidi Rodale. Officially assigned a late April/early May release nationwide by Rodale Publishing, a link on the UO Bookstore (www.uobookstore.com) will include more information when it’s available on the UO campus. The UO alumni magazine ? Oregon Quarterly (www.oregonquarterly.com) ? recently ran an excerpt that's still available online. The book will chronicle the legendary Duck mentor Bowerman who served as the UO men’s track and field head coach from 1949-1972. His men’s squads won four NCAA track and field team titles (1962-64-65-70) among their 16 top-10 NCAA finishes in his 24 years as head coach, to go along with 24 NCAA individual crowns He served as the U.S. Olympic head coach in 1972 and as an assistant coach in 1968. A founder of the famous athletic company Nike Inc. with another ex-UO distance runner Phil Knight, Bowerman introduced the idea of running shoes with waffle-iron-soles that are still popular today. Moore was one of Bowerman’s greatest distance runners and took fourth in the 1972 Olympic marathon (2:15.39.8) and ran the same Olympic event in 1968 (14th, 2:29.49.4). A Duck letterwinner from 1964-66, Moore was an All-American in the NCAA Championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in ’64 (sixth, 9:02.8) and ’66 (sixth, 9:08.8).
PEPSI MEN’S TASTER: Oregon Chases Fourth Straight Team Title.
The men Minnesota won the Big Ten team crown outdoors in ’03 and were top-three finishers outdoors in ’04 (second) and ’05 (third). In the NCAA Outdoor Championships, they placed top 15 as a team in 2003 and ’04 (ninth/15th). Junior Aaron Buzard was an All-American indoors in 2006 in the 400 meters (fourth, 46.01), and also ran on their outdoor NCAA runner-up relay in 2004. Senior Karl Erickson is a five-time All-American in the shot put and discus, and he currently ranks eighth nationally outdoors in ?06 in both events. Senior Trent Riter was an All-American in the distance medley relay in '04, and an NCAA outdoor qualifier in the 800 meters in 2004 (1:47.48). Riter is a pupil of assistant coach Steve Plascencia, an Olympic distance runner (10,000m), and former Eugene native and Athletics West member in the mid-’80s. Boise State has an international-flavored squad with several talented individuals in the sprints, jumps and distances. In the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championships outdoors in '05, the men took second as a team, then placed 14th in last year’s NCAA outdoor finale. Senior Mattias Jons was the 2005 NCAA hammer runner-up, and ranks second nationally again this season (223-4). Junior Forest Braden was an All-American in cross country (24th, '04) and indoor track and field (3,000 meters, '04). Senior Keron Francis took fourth in the 2004 NCAA Championships in the javelin, and was a 2006 NCAA long jump indoor qualifier (14th). Washington is equally balanced across the track and took fifth in the 2005 Pac-10 Championship for their first top-five team finish since 2000. Sophomore Austin Abbott was a sub-4 miler indoors in '06 (3:59.47), and currently ranks sixth nationally outdoors in the 800 meters (1:49.47). Junior Ryan Brown claimed surprise Pac-10 and West Regional titles in '05 in the 800 meters, and ran on UW’s All-America 4x400-meter and distance medley relays indoors in ?06 (third/fifth). Sophomore Norris Frederick was an All-America indoor long jumper in '05 (sixth), and this outdoor season ranks 10th nationally in the high jump (6-10 3/4) and 26th nationally in the long jump (24-2 1/2).
PEPSI WOMEN’S TASTER: Team Crown Up For Grabs.
Boise State also has an internationally-flavored women’s squad paced by its field event corps. In the WAC Championships outdoors in '05, the women placed third in the team race, then added 14th like the Bronco men in the '05 NCAA outdoor finale. Freshman Annika Hjelm was a three-time Swedish junior hammer champion, and ranks 35th nationally among collegians in ?06 in the hammer (181-9). Freshman Eleni Maria Kafourou was a three-time Greek junior champion in the long jump, and owns a best of 21-0. Junior transfer Kristin Brogdon is a LaGrande, Ore., native, and the recent junior college All-American for Lane Community College in Eugene owns a high jump best of 5-7 1/4. Penn State won its first Big Ten title ever indoors in 2004, and took second in the outdoor conference finale the past three seasons. They placed 26th in the recent 2006 NCAA Indoor Championships. Sophomore Shana Cox is the national leader outdoors in ?06 in the 400 meters (51.67) and was an All-American indoors in March (seventh). Senior Molly Landreth was an All-American in the steeplechase in '03 (11th), and an NCAA indoor provisional qualifier this winter in the 5,000 meters (16:32.63). Senior Jennifer Leatherman is a four-time All-American in the shot put, weight throw and hammer, and ranks 11th nationally in the hammer (199-2) in ?06. Washington is equally balanced across the track, and took 15th in the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Senior Carly Dockendorf is one of four NCAA pole vault veterans for UW, and was an All-American outdoors in '05 (sixth). The former UW gymnastics NCAA qualifier ranks 21st nationally outdoors in the pole vault in ?06 with a season best of 12-6. Junior Ashley Lodree is a three-time All-American and school record holder in the 60- and 100-meter hurdles. This season, she ranks second nationally in the 100 hurdles (13.20). Sophomore Amanda Miller was an All-American in the 800 meters indoors in '05 (ninth), and currently ranks eighth nationally in the 1,500 meters (4:23.11).
WOMEN’S WEEKEND OUTLOOK: Field Events Again Pace Charge in ?06.
Senior heptathlete Lauryn Jordan will again be one of UO’s busiest performer Saturday and is entered in the 100 meters, high jump, long jump and triple jump. She was a four-event scorer last season in the Pac-10 Championships in the high jump (5-10), long jump (eighth, 19-9), triple jump (fifth, 40-9 1/2) and heptathlon (fourth 5,299), then logged a personal best in the NCAA hep (14th, 5,367). The middle distance will showcase several of Oregon’s top newcomers. Freshman Rebekah Noble will make her collegiate outdoor debut in the 800 meters - an event she finished second (2:05.72) in March in the NCAA Indoor Championships. During the indoor regular season, she ran a best of 2:04.72 that ranks second for UO, and outdoors in ’06, she is a regional qualifier in the 1,500 meters with her event debut in the Stanford Invitational last weekend (4:24.49). Graduate student Amber McGown ranks third nationally outdoors so far in 2006 in the 1,500 meters with her personal best at Stanford last weekend (4:21.30). Indoors, she moved to second all-time for UO in the mile with her time from the NCAA prelims (4:41.48). The first-year Duck and Cornell transfer was the busiest UO entry in the NCAA indoor finale as she squeezed in another 1,600-meter leg on UO’s All-America distance medley relay (seventh, 11:18.89) less than two hours later, then took 10th the next day in the NCAA mile final (4:48.30). Fellow indoor DMR All-American Dana Buchanan ranks 10th nationally in the 1,500 meters and could even make her 3,000-meter steeplechase debut ? an event she finished third in the Western Athletic Conference Championships last year for the University of Hawai’i. Junior pole vaulter Emily Enders comes off a strong spring break showing at USC where she upped her personal best to 13-5 3/4, and she ranks fourth in the early season outdoor national rankings. The Snohomish, Wash., native was an NCAA qualifier outdoors as a freshman in 2004 (15th, 12-9 1/2) after she jumped then-personal bests earlier in the postseason run in the Pac-10 Championships (fifth, 13-1 3/4) and NCAA West Regional (fifth-tie, 13-2 1/4). The Oregon throws unit is one of the nation’s best and features a pair of NCAA veterans in both the javelin and hammer. Roslyn Lundeen and Elisa Reynoso are both double All-Americans in the javelin, and freshman Rachel Yurkovich is on the fast track to an NCAA invite of her own. The returning U.S. junior and Pan-Am junior champion upped her best in her collegiate debut in the Oregon Preview (179-10) to move to second all-time for UO, and rewrote her former best of 176-5 from ’05 ? a national high school record that came at Hayward Field last April. Redshirt junior Britney Henry broke the school hammer mark in the Oregon Preview (208-7) and ranks fourth nationally this outdoor season. Redshirt senior Brittany Hinchcliffe, UO’s former hammer school record holder, also improved her personal best in the Oregon Preview to 199-3, and stands 10th nationally in the event in ’06.
MEN’S WEEKEND OUTLOOK: UO Flexes Depth Around the Track.
UO’s All-America sprint crew will continue to pick up speed against several talented opponents. The 4x100-meter relay took sixth in last year’s NCAA finale in a school record 39.20, and returns 3/4 of last year’s quartet ? seniors Richard Del Rincon and Matt Scherer, and junior Jordan Kent. UO’s All-America 4x400-meter relay could also showcase most of last year’s third-place NCAA unit ? Kent, Scherer and senior Akobundu Ikwuakor ? that sped to an almost- two-second school record of 3:00.81. Senior Travis Anderson also led off an All-America relay for UO that took fifth indoors in ’05 and outdoors in ’04. Kent is coming off a minor ankle injury from late in the basketball season so his schedule will be lightened, while Ikwuakor and Scherer saw limited racing duty late in the indoor season but are quickly rounding into shape. Redshirt sophomore Michael McGrath is entered in the 800 and the 1,500 meters. Indoors in March, he became UO’s second-ever sub-4:00 indoor miler (3:59.25) and first since legendary great Steve Prefontaine clocked 3:59.2 in 1973. Three weeks ago, the Portland native McGrath opened his outdoor campaign with a regional qualifier in the Oregon Preview 1,500 meters (3:46.82), and his personal best of 3:42.44 dates back to the 2005 Payton Jordan U.S. Open at Stanford last May. In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, redshirt freshman Christopher Winter is a two-time Junior World Championships qualifier in the event and took third in the 2,000-meter steeple in 2004. The North Vancouver, B.C., native also competed in the world junior finale in cross country in 2004 and ’05 and ranked top-five for the Canadian squad both seasons. He owns a steeplechase best of 8:54.94 from a meet in Burnaby, B.C. in the summer of 2004 ? a time slightly faster than his 2005 season best of 8:54.99 from the Canadian Junior Championships last July in Montreal. Senior Eric Mitchum is the three-time defending Pepsi Invite 110-meter hurdles champion (2005-13.72, w:0.0; 2004-13.70 meet record, w:1.6; 2003-14.02, w:-0.9). Last month, he claimed his third All-America honor indoors in the 60-meter hurdles (third, 7.68), and is also a two-time outdoor All-American in the 110 hurdles, including the 2004 NCAA runner-up (school record 13.38). Ikwuakor is also a defending meet champion in the 400-meter hurdles from ’05 (51.47), and ranks eighth all-time for UO in the event with his fifth-place mark from the 2005 Pac-10 Championships (50.61). He declined an NCAA invitation in the event outdoors in ’05 to focus on the 110-meter hurdles and 4x400-meter relay, and was also an All-American indoors in ’05 in the 4x400-meter relay that took fifth in the NCAA Championships (3:05.26) and ranked second nationally during the season (3:04.17). Junior Tommy Skipper maximized his outing at the Oregon Preview three weeks ago and cleared his only attempt of the day (19-0) - his first 19-foot clearance and a new Oregon and Pac-10 school record. The Sandy, Ore., native won his third NCAA title indoors in March (18-6 1/2) after he won indoor and outdoor crowns in 2005 and ’04, respectively (18-4 1/2 / 18-8 1/4) and was an NCAA indoor runner-up as a freshman in ’04 (18-4 1/2). He won a Pepsi Invitational title as a freshman in ’04 (17-5) and missed last year’s meet because of a knee injury. Redshirt senior Jonathan Derby is one of only six collegians back in ’06 ? and the only one from the Pac-10 - that made NCAA trips both indoors and outdoors in the pole vault in ’05. The North Bend, Ore., native owns an indoor and outdoor bests of 17-6 1/2 and 16-9 1/4, respectively. Redshirt junior Colin Veldman is making an immediate impact for UO in the throws, and leads the team outdoors in ’06 with regional qualifying marks in the shot put (55-9 1/4), discus (180-8) and hammer (190-11). Last year, he ranked 33rd in the U.S. in the hammer (211-0) for Moorpark College in Los Angeles, and also threw outdoor bests of 58-10 and 184-6 in the shot put and discus last year. A complete list of UO’s current regional qualifiers is available in the STATISTICS dropdown above.
SCHEDULE & TENTATIVE OREGON ENTRIES
Saturday, April 8, 2006
Hayward Field - University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
11:40 a.m. ? W Javelin (Lundeen, McCrea, Reynoso, Yurkovich)
11:42 - M Hammer (Hill, Johnson, Veldman)
Noon - National Anthem
12:02 p.m. - W Shot Put (Greenspan, Lundeen)
12:05 - W 3,000m Steeple (Buchanan, A. Fitz-Gustafson, Mathis)
12:07 - W Pole Vault (Enders, Moore, Rhein)
12:10 - W Long Jump (Jordan, McFadden)
12:20 - M 3,000m Steeple (Meyer, Trujillo, Werhane, Winter)
12:30 - M High Jump (Fleming, Lindsey, O’Connell, Shkuratov)
12:35 - W 4x100m Relay
12:37 - M Pole Vault (Burnett, Derby, Moore,Skipper)
12:40 - M 4x100m Relay
12:42 - M Long Jump (Greif, Shkuratov, Welch, Young)
12:47 - W 1,500m (Buchanan, H. Fitz-Gustafson, Heinonen, McGown, Schaaf)
12:55 - M 1,500m (Flanders, McGrath, Sauvain, Wasteney)
1:00 - M Javelin (Brandel, Fleming, Maloney)
1:02 - W Hammer (Henry, Hinchcliffe, Maloney)
1:05 - W 100m Hurdles (Harwood, McFadden)
1:07 - M Shot Put (Lewis, Reynoso, Veldman)
1:15 - M 110m Hurdles (Mitchum, Shkuratov, Thurmond)
1:17 - W Triple Jump (Enders, Jordan)
1:25 - W 400m (Searcy, Worthen)
1:30 - M 400m (Ikwuakor, Scherer)
1:32 - Bowerman and the Men of Oregon Book Dedication
1:45 - W 100m (Bridenbeck, Jordan)
1:50 - M 100m (Del Rincon, Thurmond)
1:55 - W 800m (McGown, Noble, Schaaf)
2:02 - M 800m (Anderson. Gillespie, McGrath, Perri)
2:05 - M Triple Jump (Greif, Welch)
2:12 - W 400m Hurdles (Santana, Harwood)
2:15 - W High Jump (Jordan, McFadden)
2:20 - M Discus (Fleming, Johnson, Veldman)
2:22 - M 400m Hurdles (Huske, Ikwuakor, Mitchum)
2:25 - W Discus (on Hammer Field) (Cridland, Hinchcliffe)
2:32 - W 200m (Searcy, Worthen)
2:37 - M 200m (Del Rincon, Scherer)
2:42 - W 3,000m (Nelson, Pearson)
2:57 - M 5,000m (Alvarez, Rupp, C. Trujillo, E. Trujillo, Winter)
3:17 - W 4x400m Relay
3:25 - M 4x400m Relay
* All entries are tentative and subject to change (names listed alphabetically)
2005 PEPSI WOMEN’S RECAP. Ducks Racks Up Seven Wins and Two UO Records.
Eugene, Ore. (4/9/05) ? In last year’s 16th annual Pepsi Team Invitational, the UO women fell a half-point just shy of the win with 171 points, just behind Missouri (first, 171 1/2), and ahead of Washington (third, 164 1/2) and Indiana (fourth, 107). Individually, the Ducks accounted for seven wins and two school records courtesy of throwers Brittany Hinchcliffe (hammer, 199-2) and Bree Fuqua (shot put, 53-11 1/4). The All-America duo of Roslyn Lundeen (first, 156-5) and Elisa Crumley (second, 144-9) reunited on the javelin runway for the first time in a meet since the 2003 NCAA Championships. In the 400 hurdles, Kasey Harwood won her collegiate debut at the distance (61.08), and moved to 10th all-time for the Ducks. Among top women’s meet performances overall, Washington sophomore Ashley Lodree tied the 100 hurdles meet record (first, 13.55, w:0.0), and teammate and 2005 NCAA indoor pole vault runner-up Kate Soma missed attempts at a meet record 14-5 1/4 and settled for the win at 14-0.
Women’s Pepsi Team Invitational Event Records
100 - 11.46, Denise Lucas, Neb., 1992
200 - 23.58, Denise Lucas, Neb., 1992
400 - 52.73, Camara Jones, Ore., 1992
800 - 2:05.44, Lisa Graham, Neb.., 1992
1,500 - 4:12.38, Lisa Graham, Neb., 1992
3,000 - 9:12.15, Penny Graves, Ore., 1987
5,000 - 15:54.13, Amy Skierez, Ariz., 1997
100 Hurdles - 13.55, Cl. Robinson, Wash., 1994
100 Hurdles - 13.55, Ashley Lodree, Wash., 2005
400 Hurdles - 56.54, Sch. Williams, LSU, 1988
400 Relay - 44.61, Nebraska, 1992
1,600 Relay - 3:37.43, Nebraska, 1988
High Jump - 6-2, Tammy Thurman, Neb., 1988
Pole Vault - 4-3 1/4, B. Holliday, Ore., 2003
Long Jump - 21-4 3/4, A. Henry, Neb., 1996
Triple Jump - 44-10 1/4, S. Marks, Minn., 2003
Shot Put - 56-6, V. Althouse, UCLA, 1994
Discus - 204-7, Aretha Hill, Wash., 1998
Javelin - 169-9, Cassie Morelock, Neb., 1999
Hammer - 201-6, Melissa Price, Neb., 1999
Past Women’s Pepsi Team Invitational Results
1987: 1, Oregon 53. 2, Texas 52. 3, Washington State 43. 4, Tennessee 37.
1988: 1, Oregon 170. 2, Nebraska 157.5. 3, LSU 151.5. 4, Washington State 105.
1989: 1, Oregon 194. 2, Washington State 153. 3, Wisconsin 126. 4, Colorado 120.
1990: 1, Oregon 183. 2, Cal Poly 163. 3, WSU 130. 4, Georgetown 99.
1991: 1, Oregon 175. 2, Washington State 137. 3, Indiana 132. 4, Alabama 131.
1992: 1, Oregon 182. 2, Nebraska 180. 3, Washington 116. 4, N. Arizona 111.
1993: 1, Oregon 186. 2, Arizona State 140. 3. Washington State 131, Kansas State 107.
1994: 1, UCLA 185. 2, Washington 156. 3, Oregon 135. 4, Washington State 118.
1995: 1, Nebraska 195. 2, Oregon 180. 3, Michigan 111.5. 4, Washington State 103.5.
1996: 1, Oregon 198. 2, Nebraska 183. 3, Washington 153. 4, Weber State 91.
1997: 1, Oregon 190.5. 2, Washington State 163. 3, Arizona 148.5. 4, Indiana 132.
1998: 1, Oregon 199.5. 2, Washington 189. 3, Colorado 135. 4, Arizona State 134.5.
1999: 1, Nebraska 138. 2, Washington 122. 3, Oregon 120.
2003: 1, Oregon 204. 2, Minnesota 172. 3, Washington 149. 4, Colorado 100.
2004: 1, Oregon 184.5. 2, Washington 169. 3, Minnesota 160.5. 4, Colorado 100.
2005: 1, Missouri 171.5. 2, Oregon 170. 3, Washington 164.5. 4, Indiana 107.
2005 PEPSI MEN’S RECAP: Duck 4x400 Relay Cruises to School Record.
Eugene, Ore. (4/9/05) ? In last year’s 16th annual Pepsi Team Invitational, the Duck men won their 10th team crown with 180 1/2 points, thanks to six wins. Long jumper Leonidas Watson won the marquee event that featured three of the top six finishers from the 2005 NCAA Indoor Championships. Watson’s outdoor best of 25-10 3/4 (w:0.3) moved him to seventh all-time for UO, while he added second in the triple jump (50-6 3/4, w:-1.4) behind NCAA indoor champion Aarik Wilson of Indiana (first, 53-0 3/4). At meet’s end, the 4x400 of Travis Anderson, Kedar Inico, Ikwuakor and Matt Scherer won in a meet record and then-seventh-fastest time in school history (3:07.79), while the 4x100 of Inico, Del Rincon, Anderson and Kent (second, 40.45) moved to ninth in school history. Overall on the men’s side, Indiana All-American David Neville won the 200 (21.37) and 400 (46.20), and the Hoosiers’ NCAA indoor triple jump champ Aarik Wilson was only 4 3/4 inches off the meet record in his triple jump win (50-0 3/4), and six inches off Latin Berry’s long jump meet record (26-0 1/4) with his second-place mark (25-6 1/4).
Men’s Pepsi Team Invitational Event Records
100 - 10.30, Slip Watkins, LSU, 1988
100 - 10.30, Augustin Olobia, WSU, 1991
200 - 21.18, Slip Watkins, LSU, 1988
400 - 45.57, Pat Johnson, Oregon, 1995
800 - 1:48.55, Mark Macinko, Colo., 1989
1,500 - 3:39.15, Kevin Sullivan, Mich., 1995
3,000 - 7:50.39, Dathan Ritzenhein, Colo., 2004
Steeple - 8:40.91, D. Das Neves, Ore., 1996
5,000 - 13:42.90, Adam Goucher, Colo., 1998
110H - 13.70, Eric Mitchum, Ore., 2004
400H - 50.43, Mikael Jacobsson, Minn., 2003
4x100 - 39.24, WSU, 1991
4x400 - 3:07.79, Oregon, 2005
High Jump - 7-3 1/4, Greg Jones, WSU, 1988
Pole Vault - 18-0 1/2, Jay Davis, Ore., 1988
Pole Vault - 18-0 1/2, Piotr Buciarski, Ore., 1998, ?99
Long Jump - 26-01/4, Latin Berry, Ore., 1989
Triple Jump - 53-51/2, J. Tillman, Tenn., 1987
Shot Put - 64-103/4, K. Coleman, Neb., 1992
Discus - 203-1, John Nichols, LSU, 1988
Hammer - 228-1, Stefan Jonsson, WSU, 1988
Javelin - 251-8, Art Skipper, Ore., 1992
Past Men’s Pepsi Team Invitational Results
1987: 1, Oregon 194.5. 2, Texas 169. 3, Tennessee 167.5. 4, Washington State 107.
1988: Team Scores Not Available (WSU, LSU, Nebraska)
1989: 1, Oregon 230.5. 2, Illinois 146. 3, Washington State 143.5. 4, Colorado 143.
1990: 1, Oregon 208. 2, Washington State 202. 3, Cal Poly 113. 4, Georgetown 110.
1991: 1, Washington State 223.5. 2, Oregon 181.5. 3, Indiana 132. 4, Alabama 112.
1992: 1, Oregon 194. 2, Nebraska 179. 3, Washington 171. 4, Northern Arizona 125.
1993: 1, Oregon 194.5. 2, Washington State 171.5. 3, Arizona State 150. 4, Kansas State 125.
1994: 1, UCLA 88. 2, Oregon 85. 3, Washington 30.
1995: 1, Oregon 204. 2, Nebraska 200. 3, Washington State 141. 4, Michigan 115.
1996: 1, Nebraska 220. 2, Oregon 203. 3, Washington 136. 4, Illinois 90.
1997: 1, Oregon 206.5. 2, WSU 175.5. 3, Arizona 163. 4, Indiana 135.
1998: 1, Oregon 210. 2, Washington 175. 3, Colorado 155. 4, Arizona State 118.
1999: 1, Nebraska 157. 2, Washington 133.5. 3, Oregon 105.5.
2003: 1, Oregon 211. 2, Minnesota 171. 3. Washington 114. 4, Colorado 108.
2004: 1, Oregon 191. 2, Minnesota 169. 3, Washington 144. 4, Colorado 101
2005: 1, Oregon 180.5. 2, Washington 169.5. 3t, Indiana 140.5. 3t, Missouri 140.5.
Boise State University Info
Location: Boise, Idaho
Track and Field Facility: Bronco Stadium (30,000)
Founded: 1932
Enrollment: 18,456
Colors: Blue, Orange
Conference: Western Athletic
Web Site: www.BroncoSports.com
Boise State Men's Team Information
Head Coach: Mike Maynard, Fifth Year
2005 NCAA Oudoor Finish: 14th (18)
2005 NCAA Indoor Finish: DNS
2005 WAC Outdoor Finish: 2nd (186.5)
2005 WAC Indoor Finish: 3rd (133)
2005 NCAA Cross Country Finish: DNQ
Top Boise State Men’s Athletes
Returning NCAA Qualifiers (*All-American): *Forest Braden, Sr., 9th in 3,000 indoors in ?04; Steffan Jonsson, 23rd in DT prelims in ?03; *Mattias Jons, Sr., 2nd in HT in ?05. (*All-Americans)
Boise State Women’s Team Information
Head Coach: Mike Maynard, Fifth Year
2005 NCAA Outdoor Finish: 14th (18)
2005 NCAA Indoor Finish: DNS
2005 WAC Outdoor Finish: 3rd (99.5) 2005 WAC Indoor Finish: 3rd (76)
2005 NCAA Cross Country Finish: DNQ
Top Boise State Women’s Athletes
Returning NCAA Qualifiers (*All-American): Robin Wemple, Sr., 11th in steeple in ?03.
University of Minnesota Men’s Info
Location: St. Paul, Minn.
T&F Facility: Bierman Field TF Complex
Founded/Enrollment: 1851/48,484
Colors: Maroon, Gold
Conference: Big Ten
Website: www.GopherSports.com
Minnesota Men’s Team Information
Head Coach: Phil Lundin, 11th Year
2005 NCAA Outdoor Finish: 67th (1)
2005 NCAA Indoor Finish: 34th (5)
2005 Big Ten Outdoor Finish: 3rd (97.5)
2005 Big Ten Indoor Finish: 5th (80)
2005 NCAA XC Finish: 20th (514)
Top Minnesota Men’s Athletes
Returning NCAA Qualifiers (*All-American): **John Albert, RSr, 7th in HJ indoors in ?04, 9th in HJ outdoors in ?04; *Aaron Buzard, Jr., 2nd in 4x400 outdoors in ?04; Karl Erickson, Sr., 5th in discus and 9th in shot put outdoors in ?04, 5th in shot put indoors and outdoors in ?03; *Ben Hanson, Sr., 5th in DMR indoors in ?04; *Robb Merrit, Sr., 2nd in 4x400 indoors and outdoors in ?04; *Kevin Netzer, Sr., 8th in HJ outdoors in ?04; *Trent Riter, Sr., 5th in DMR indoors in ?04.
Top Newcomers: Chris Rombough, Fr., 1,600 4:13.11; Matt Barrett, Fr., 3,200 9:13.97; Ray Blackledge, Fr., LJ 23-10, 24-2.5w; Joe Plencer, Fr., PV 15-6.
Penn State University Info
Location: State College, Penn.
Track and Field Facility: Nittany Lion Track
Founded/Enrollment: 1855/41,500
Colors: Blue, White
Conference: Big Ten
Web Site: www.gopsusports.com
SID Contact: Elise Stoll
SID FAX: (814) 863-3165
SID E-mail: ecs165@psu.edu
Penn State Women’s Team Info
Head Coach: Beth Alford-Sullivan, 4th Year
2005 NCAA Outdoor Finish: 60th (3)
2005 NCAA Indoor Finish: 39th (5)
2005 Big Ten Outdoor Finish: 6th (66)
2005 Big Ten Indoor Finish: 4th (NA)
2005 NCAA Cross Country Finish: DNQ
Top Penn State Women’s Athletes
Returning NCAA Qualifiers (*All-American): Kamila Salaam, 29th in 100 prelims in ?04; Shana Cox, 11th in 400 prelims indoors in ?05, ninth in 400 semis outdoors in ?05; Tracy Brauksieck, 14th in steeple in ?03; Molly Landreth, 11th in steeple in ?03, 25th in steeple prelims in ?05; Gayle Hunter, 16th in LJ prelims in ?05; Ashley Cooley, 10th in JT in ?03, 16th in JT prelims in ?04; **Jen Leatherman, 4th in WT in ?05, 9th in SP indoors in ?05; 7th in HT in ?05, 24th in DT in ?05, fouled in SP outdoors in ?05; *Diana Bruch, 8th in hep. in ?05; Gayle Hunter, 14th in pent. in ?05; 18th in hep. in ?05; 4x400, 16th in prelims outdoors in ?05.
Top Newcomers: Aleesha Barber, Fr., 100H 14.03, 300H 42.46, 400H 60.04; Bradle Foerschner, Fr., SP 41-2; Emma Schemlzer, Fr., SP 43-6.
University of Washington Info
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Founded: 1861
Enrollment: 26,000
Colors: Purple, Gold
Conference: Pacific-10
Website: www.gohuskies.com
Washington Men’s Team Information
Head Coach: Greg Metcalf, Fifth Year
2005 NCAA Outdoor Finish: DNS
2005 NCAA Indoor Finish: DNS /28th (7)
2005 Pac-10 Finish: 5th (75.5)
2005 NCAA Cross Country Finish: 27th (556)
Top Washington Men’s Athletes
Returning NCAA Qualifiers (*All-American): **Ryan Brown, Jr., 10th in 800 outdoors in ?05; 4x100, 11th in prelims outdoors in ?05; 4x400, 10th outdoors in prelims in ?05; DMR, 5th indoors in ?05; *Norris Frederick, So., 6th in LJ indoors in ?05, 17th in HJ outdoors in ?05; J.R. Wolfork Sr., 21st in LJ prelims outdoors in ?05.
Top Newcomers: Jordan McNamara, Fr., 1,600 4:16.57, 3,200 9:08.52; Kelly Spady, Fr., 1,600 4:19.3, 3,200 9:15.83; Jeremy Mineau, RFr., 3,200 9:04.5; Teddy Davis, RJr., HJ 7-1; Eric Tanebaum, Fr., PV 15-4; Zach Midles, Fr., SP 58-6, DT 177-10, HT 226-9.
Washington Women’s Team Information
Head Coach: Greg Metcalf, Fourth Year
2005 NCAA Outdoor Finish: 15th-t (17)
2005 NCAA Indoor Finish: 16th-t (13)
2005 Pac-10 Outdoor Finish: 8th (42.5)
2005 NCAA Cross Country Finish: DNQ
Top Women’s Athletes
Returning NCAA Qualifiers (*All-American): **Ashley Lodree, Jr., 5th in 110H outdoors in ?05, 10th indoors in 60H in ?05, 14th in 60H prelims indoors in ?04; *Amanda Miller, So., 9th in 800 prelims indoors in ?05; *Amy Lia, 12th in 1,500 prelims in ?05; *Ashley Wildhaber, Sr., 5th in PV indoors in ?05; *Stevie Marshalek, Jr., 13th in PV indoors in ?05; *Carly Dockendorf, Sr., 6th in PV outdoors in ?05, 17th in PV indoors in ?05; Kelly DiVesta, So., 15th in PV outdoors in ?05.
Top Newcomers: Falesha Ankton, Fr., 100H 14.02, 300H 43.00, 400H 61.59; Annaliese Chapa Fr., 800 2:10.47, 1,500 4:51.33; Shannon Harvey, Fr., HT 156-7; Syreeta Martin, Fr., 300H 43.79; Laurie Roberts, Fr., HJ 5-8; Tori Tyler, Fr., 3,200 10:34.07; Allyson Wojciechowski, Fr., PV 12-3; Dariya Pavlov, Fr., Hep., 5,053.
RECENT WOMEN’S RECAP: Enders Clears Pole Vault Personal Best.
LOS ANGELES (3/25/06) ? Junior Emily Enders paced the Ducks two weeks ago in the Trojan Invitational, held at Katherine Loker Stadium on the USC campus. A day after winter term final exams ended, the Snohomish, Wash., native showed little fatigue from the busy week as she upped her pole vault personal best by 2 1/2 inches with her winning mark (13-5 3/4). The 2004 NCAA outdoor veteran still ranks fourth all-time for UO behind a trio of All-Americans or NCAA qualifiers. Oregon’s other women’s win came from freshman Rachel Yurkovich (javelin, 174-0) who matched or bettered the 174-foot line for the second straight weekend. The 2005 junior national champion from Newberg, Ore., moved to second all-time for UO the previous weekend with her winning Oregon Preview throw (179-10). Duck women added four runner-up finishes courtesy of senior Lauryn Jordan (high jump, 5-5; long jump, 19-11w, w:3.1), redshirt junior Britney Henry (hammer, 208-4) and the 4x400-meter relay (3:43.57). On the qualifying scene, six women scored invitations to the West Regional Championships in Provo, Utah at the end of May, and included five who had met the standard before - freshman Ashley McCrea (javelin, third, 150-11), redshirt senior Brittany Hinchcliffe (hammer, fourth, 196-4), Enders, Henry and Yurkvoich. Jordan posted her first regional mark of ’06 in the long jump, and the 4x400-meter relay was less than two seconds from the regional qualifying standard (3:42.00).
Last weekend in the Stanford Invitational at Stanford, Calif. (3/31-4/1/06), the Duck women scored five regional qualifying marks in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters. In the second day top section of the 1,500 meters, graduate student Amber McGown (fourth, 4:21.30) lowered her personal best by 2.51 seconds, and improved on her former PR that came for Cornell last season (4:23.81). Another first-year Duck, junior Dana Buchanan (ninth, 4:23.88), clipped three seconds off her former personal best (4:26.10) that came last summer in a meet in Ontario. In the event’s second section of the event, freshman Rebekah Noble bided her time in the middle of the pack for the first 1,200 meters, then began to move up on the backstretch with a 30-second last 200-meter kick to take fourth in her heat and 15th overall (4:24.49) - less than a half-second behind heat winner. Noble’s effort was her debut at the distance, although the Spokane, Wash., native had run several 1,200, 1,600 and mile legs indoors in distance medleys. The evening before, freshman Zoe Nelson and sophomore Sarah Pearson scored regional qualifying marks in their outdoor season debuts in the 5,000 meters. The pair were only .04 seconds and one place apart as Nelson took 25th (16:50.60) and Pearson was 26th (16:50.64), and they ducked under the regional standard of 16:52.00. The duo both ran the event once indoors in 2006 in February and clocked times of 17:02.49 and 17:08.35, while Nelson had ran 17:31.84 in her previous outdoor 5K after her senior season last June in Victoria, B.C.
RECENT MEN’S RECAP: Ducks Score Six Regional Marks at USC.
LOS ANGELES (3/25/06) - Four-time All-American and senior Eric Mitchum claimed a .13-second season best in the 110-meter hurdles en route to the win (13.65, w:0.9). In the same event, freshman Walter Thurmond III ran a .43-second season best (seventh, 14.29, w:0.9) and pulled within .22 seconds of UO’s top-10 list (10th is Dwight Robertson, 14.07, 1982) in his second collegiate race. The West Covina, Calif., native was also .01 seconds under the regional mark (14.30). Other Duck men that scored runner-up finishers included redshirt senior Jonathan Derby (pole vault, 16-6 3/4) and redshirt junior Colin Veldman (shot put, 55-9 1/4; discus, season best 180-8). Other early season bests came from the senior pair of Matt Scherer and Travis Anderson in the 800 meters (third, 1:50.25; 10th, 1:53.83), redshirt sophomore Jacob Tolbert (long jump, 21-4 1/4, w:-0.4) and freshman Matthew Maloney (hammer, 13th, 163-9). UO’s six men’s regional qualifiers included Derby, Mitchum, Scherer, Thurmond and Veldman (shot put and discus).
Last weekend in distance action in the Stanford Invitational at Stanford, Calif. (3/31-4/01/06), freshman Christopher Winter made his official debut for UO in the steeplechase (seventh, 9:04.74) and met the regional mark of 9:07.00. The Ducks also scored a pair of personal bests in the 1,500 meters from senior Blake Flanders (12th, 3:52.06) and freshman Donald Wasteney (16th, 3:53.33). In the 5,000 meters, redshirt athlete and first-year transfer Shadrack Kiptoo Biwott ran unattached in the ?A’ section (fifth, 13:55.81) and bettered his previous personal best of 13:57. Redshirt sophomores Carlos Trujillo made his track debut in a separate section, and ranked fourth in a time of 14:21.05 ? barely 11 seconds off the regional qualifying standard (14:10.00). In the 10,000 meters, redshirt sophomore Patrick Werhane ran a 13-second personal best (33rd, 30:36.58) in the ?B’ section of the event.
2006 UO WOMEN’S SEASON OUTLOOK: Field Events Again Pace Charge in ?06.
The field events again lead the Oregon women’s charge in 2006 with a pair of double All-Americans back in the javelin ? redshirt seniors Elisa (Crumley) Reynoso (12th in ?02, 13th in ?03) and Roslyn Lundeen (seventh in ?02, eighth in ?03). The hammer throw sports a pair of NCAA veterans ? redshirt senior Brittany Hinchcliffe (12th in ?05) and redshirt junior Britney Henry (no mark in ?04). Henry is the top returning collegian based on previous bests, and her career best mark from ?05 (223-8) ranked fifth in the U.S. and 41st in the world. The pole vault sports another pair of NCAA veterans in redshirt senior Hannah Moore and junior Emily Enders who made NCAA trips indoors and outdoors in ?04, respectively, and finished 13th (12-11 1/2) and 15th (12-9 1/2). Several newcomers in particular expect to challenge for NCAA invites immediately. Freshman and Newberg, Ore., native Rachel Yurkovich broke the high school record in the javelin in 2005 (176-5), before she won USA Junior and Pan Junior titles in ?05 (166-1 / 172-6) and also took fifth in the USA senior finale (170-3). Fellow javelin thrower and North Bend, Ore., native Ashley McCrea ranked second among preps in ?05 (158-6), was a two-time state champion herself in the 3A ranks, and took fifth in the U.S. junior finale in ?05 (146-11). Freshman Rebekah Noble was a USA junior and Pan-Am junior champion herself (2:03.73/2:04.07), and her season best (2:03.73) led the prep ranks in ?05, ranked eighth on the all-time U.S. high school list and was the fastest time by a prep since 1982. Indoors in ?06, Noble claimed NCAA runner-up honors in the 800 meters, and additional indoor All-America honors were claimed by Buchanan, McGown, redshirt senior Sara Schaaf, and sophomore Irie Searcy in the distance medley relay. Several other newcomers could challenge for NCAA invitations and include distance runners Katie Leary and Zoe Nelson, prep All-America hammer thrower Megan Maloney, and heptathlete Kalindra McFadden.
2006 DUCK MEN’S SEASON OUTLOOK: UO Flexes Depth Around the Track.
The UO men have claimed four straight top-two Pac-10 finishes, including wins in 2003 and ?05. In 2006, the ?Men of Oregon’ finished a best-ever sixth place as a team indoors in the NCAA Championships for the second straight year and sported top-six finishes from senior Eric Mitchum (60 hurdles, third, 7.68), junior Tommy Skipper (pole vault, first, 18-6 1/2) and sophomore Galen Rupp (3,000, sixth, 8:07.85; 5,000, fifth, 13:56.41). Skipper also won NCAA titles indoors in ?05 (18-4 1/2) and outdoors in ?04 (18-8 1/4), and added a fourth top-two NCAA finish as a freshman indoors in ?04 (second, 18-4 1/2). Mitchum is altogether a five-time All-American in previous NCAA finales outdoors in the 110 hurdles (second, 13.38, 2004; fourth, 13.53, 2005) and also indoors twice more in the 60 hurdles (sixth, 7.74, 2004 ; fourth, 7.73, 2005). Skipper and Mitchum are past Pac-10 and Regional champions in the pole vault (2004) and 110-meter hurdles (2004, ?05), respectively. Rupp also sped to an NCAA runner-up finish himself in 2005 in the 10,000 meters (28:23.75) and was a top-four placer in the Pac-10 5,000 and 10,000 meters (fourth/second) in 2005. The Duck sprint crew comes off a record-setting postseason run in 2005 that included school records in the NCAA outdoor finale in the 4x100-meter relay (sixth, 39.20) and 4x400-meter relay (third, 3:00.81), and the latter time would have won the NCAA finale every year prior since 1964 except four seasons. Other Ducks with NCAA experience include redshirt junior Jordan Kent (200 meters, 2003), seniors Matt Scherer (400 meters, 2003, ?04, ?05), Akobundu Ikwuakor (110-meter hurdles, 2004, ?05; 400-meter hurdles ?05), redshirt senior pole vaulter Jonathan Derby (pole vault outdoors and indoors in ?05), redshirt senior Andrew Young (decathlon, 2004, ?05) and redshirt sophomore Patrick Werhane (cross country, 2005). Top newcomers include the distance pair of redshirt sophomore Michael McGrath (800 meters/1,500 meters) and Christopher Winter (steeplechase), prep All-Americans Jared Huske (110- hurdles/400-meter hurdles), Matthew Maloney (javelin), juniors Colin Veldman (shot put/discus/hammer) and Ryan Brandel (javelin), and fellow freshmen Walter Thurmond III (110-meter hurdles), Mark Lewis (shot put), Alex Wolff (javelin), and Alexey Shkuratov (decathlon).
MEN’S NEWCOMERS: UO Sports Key Hurdles, Distances, Throws and Dec. Additions
The men’s newcomer list welcomes back redshirt sophomore Michael McGrath who was an NCAA qualifier indoors in ’06 thanks to his first career sub-4:00 mile in early March (3:59.25). Also in the distances, redshirt freshman Christopher Winter is a two-time World Junior Championships qualifier in both the 3,000-meter steeplechase and in cross country. Freshmen Matthew Maloney and Alex Wolff ranked first and fourth nationally in the prep javelin in ’05 and placed sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 2005 USA Junior Championships. Freshman Jared Huske ranked second among preps in the 110 hurdles in ’05 (13.71), while freshman cornerback Walter Thurmond III stood third on the squad indoors in the 60-meter hurdles (8.15) in ’06 behind a pair of NCAA outdoor high hurdles veterans. Redshirt junior Colin Veldman was an NCAA provisional qualifier in the shot put in ?06 with his indoor school record (58-8 3/4), and freshman Alexey Shkuratov will contend for Pac-10 duty in the decathlon, 110 hurdles and long jump and owns bests of 14.53, 6,708 and 23-6, respectively.
TOP DUCK MEN’S NEWCOMERS
Michael McGrath, RSo., Portland, Ore. - 800 1:47.62, 1,500 3:42.44
Jeffrey Erb, RFr., Eugene, Ore. - 800 1:51.63
Andrew Perri, Fr., Oakridge, Calif. - 800 1:52.72, 1,500 3:58
Christopher Winter, RFr., N. Vancouver, B.C. - Steeple 8:54.94
Keegan Burnett, Jr.-TR, Sweet Home, Ore. - PV 16-5 1/4
Jared Huske, Fr., Topeka, Kan. - 110H 13.33w / 13.71 (#2 US ?05), 300H 36.93 (#10 US ?05), 400H 52.49 (#10 US ?05)
Walter Thurmond III, Fr., West Covina, Calif. - 110H 14.29 (HS-14.16); PV 15-7
Colin Veldman, RJr.-TR, Fort Collins, Colo. - SP 58-10, DT 184-6, HT 211-0
Mark Lewis, RFr., Arroyo Grande, Calif. - SP (63-5 1/2 -HS, #10 US ?04)
Matthew Maloney, Fr., Barrington, R.I. - JT 231-5 (#1 HS ’05), HT (12 lb.) - 213-6
Alex Wolff, Fr., Newberg, Ore. - JT 213-5 (#4 HS ?05)
Ryan Brandel, Jr.-TR, Milwaukie, Ore. - JT 212-0
Michael Hill, RJr., Bend, Ore. - HT 169-1
Brian Bartow, RJr., Grants Pass, Ore. - Dec. 6,772, JT 209-0
Alexey Shkuratov, RFr., Minsk, Belarus - Dec. 6,708; 110H 14.53
WOMEN’S NEWCOMERS: Throws and Middle Distances Ink Prep All-Americans.
A host of talented new faces will add ammunition in UO’s championship runs in ?06. The Duck women’s newcomer class was ranked best in the nation by Track and Field News and featured a pair of national prep leaders and U.S. and Pan-Am junior champions ? freshmen Rachel Yurkovich (javelin) and Rebekah Noble (800). The distance corps has received immediate dividends from graduate student Amber McGown and junior Dana Buchanan who ran on its All-America indoor distance medley in ’06, while freshmen Zoe Nelson and Katie Leary were two of the team’s cross country runners in the fall. True freshman Megan Maloney ranked third nationally in the hammer among preps in ’05 (169-10), and redshirt freshman Kalindra McFadden was an NCAA provisional qualifier indoors in ’06 with her pentathlon school record (3,929).
TOP DUCK WOMEN’S NEWCOMERS
Leah Worthen, Fr., Coos Bay, Ore. - 100 12.2, 200 24.8, 400 55.9
Rebekah Noble, Fr., Spokane, Wash. - 400 53.3, 800 2:03.73 (#1 HS ?05)
Dana Buchanan, Jr.-TR, Beachburg, Ont. - 800 2:09.85, 1,500 4:23.88
Amber McGown, RSr.-TR, Melfort, Sask. - 800 2:13.00, 1,500 4:21.30
Katie Leary, RFr., Klamath Falls, Ore. - 1,500 4:36.76, 3,000 10:00.38
Zoe Nelson, Fr., Kalispell, Mont., - 1,600 4:54.8, 3,000 9:43.4, 2-Mile 10:23.7 (#3 HS ’04), 5,000 17:31.84
Tara Rhein, Fr., Roseville, Calif. - PV 11-2
Britney Henry, RJr.-TR, Spokane, Wash. - HT 223-8, JT 119-0
Megan Maloney, Fr., Barrington, R.I. - HT 169-10 (#3 HS ’05)
Ashley McCrea, Fr., North Bend, Ore. - JT 158-6 (#2 HS ?05)
Rachel Yurkovich, Fr., Newberg, Ore. - JT 179-10 (#1 HS ?05-176-5)
Kalindra McFadden, RFr., Bozeman, Mont. - 100H 14.64, 200 25.00
2006 INDOOR WOMEN’S RECAP: Noble & DMR Go All-American Indoors.
In the 2006 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Arkansas (3/10-11), the Duck women claimed their third-highest ever NCAA indoor team finish (23rd-tie, 10 points), and both the M&W teams placed top-25 in the same season for the first time ever. All five of the women’s qualifiers claimed All-America honors and included freshman Rebekah Noble (800, second), and the distance medley relay (seventh) of graduate student Amber McGown, redshirt senior Sara Schaaf, junior Dana Buchanan and redshirt sophomore Irie Searcy. During the indoor regular season, Duck women scored five school records ? senior Lauryn Jordan (60 hurdles, 8.73), the distance medley relay (11:16.05), redshirt senior Britney Hinchcliffe and redshirt junior Britney Henry (weight throw, 61-1 1/4) and redshirt freshman Kalindra McFadden (pentathlon, 3,929)
2006 INDOOR MEN’S RECAP: Men Repeat Best-Ever Sixth in NCAA Finale.
The ?Men of Oregon’ took sixth in March’s NCAA indoor team race with 23 points to match their all-time best finish from ’05, and also notched their third top-10 finish in five years after they also took ninth in 2002. Oregon welcomed All-America efforts from four of their five entries ? junior Tommy Skipper (pole vault, first), senior Eric Mitchum (60 hurdles, third) and freshman Galen Rupp (3,000, sixth; 5,000, fifth). During the indoor regular season, four men’s indoor school records were broken or tied by Rupp (5,000, 13:48.51), Mitchum (60 hurdles, 7.67), Skipper (pole vault, 18-8.75-tied) and redshirt junior Colin Veldman (shot put, 58-8 3/4).
HAYWARD IS HAPPENING: More High-Caliber Meets On Tap in ?06
Looking ahead to other home meets in ’06, a revamped Oregon Invitational on Friday-Saturday, April 21-22 features a Friday evening distance carnival with many of the nation’s top distance runners, and a Saturday afternoon elite section for the remaining events. The Oregon Twilight concludes the regular season Friday, May 5, immediately followed by the Pacific-10 Conference Championships Heptathlon and Decathlon, Saturday-Sunday, May 6-7. The following weekend, the Pac-10 Championships return to Eugene for the sixth time in school history, Saturday-Sunday, May 13-14. The Duck men will look to defend their 2005 team title, while the women are set to improve off their 68-point tally in 2005 ? their highest since 1998. Hayward Field spectators should look for a host of Duck track and field alumni on hand that weekend as part of a special UO track and field alumni reunion. More meet information for several home meets is already posted or will be added soon to the SCHEDULE link on the www.GoDucks.com website.
COACHING UPDATE: Lananna Quickly Makes Mark as Ducks’ New Mentor.
Associate Athletic Director and Director of Track and Field Vin Lananna is in his first season with the Ducks, and is very familiar with the University of Oregon and Pacific-10 Conference. The former Stanford head coach guided the league rival Cardinal men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs to five NCAA team titles and 35 top-10 NCAA team finishes in his 11-year career from 1992-2003. Less than three months after his arrival, he and the Eugene community and University of Oregon celebrated a come-from-behind win in the bid for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials ? the fourth time since 1972 that the grand meet will travel to Hayward Field. Other members of the 2005-06 track and field staff include assistant athletic director Michael Reilly, assistant coaches Kelly Blair LaBounty (women’s hurdles, heptathlon, first year), Lance Deal (throws, fourth year), Robert Johnson (jumps, women’s sprints, first year), Andy Powell (men’s distances, first year), Dan Steele (men’s sprints, hurdles, decathlon, fourth year), and volunteer coaches Piotr Buciarski (pole vault, first year), Kayla Mellott (men’s sprints, first year), Maurica Powell (women’s distances, first year) and Mark Vanderville (pole vault, seventh year) and director of operations Colleen Wren.
HAYWARD FIELD PROFILE: Eugene Welcomed its Ninth NCAA Finale in ?01.
At the heart of the recent buzz around Track Town, USA is venerable Hayward Field ? the centerpiece of the community’s and university’s successful bid for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. One of the most famous track facilities in the world, it is named for Bill Hayward, who coached the Oregon’s men’s team from 1904-1947. The 10,205-seat stadium was originally dedicated in 1919 and now boasts a standing room capacity of 10,505. In 2001, the venue welcomed the world’s fastest, strongest and most explosive to a Triple Crown of great meets ? the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Prefontaine Classic (www.preclassic.com) and USA Outdoor Championships. Altogether, nine NCAA Championships (1962-64-72-78-74-77-91-96-01) have visited Track City USA, along with three Olympic Trials (1972-76-80) and six U.S. Championships (AAU 1971-75, TAC 1986, USATF-1993-99-01). Since the NCAA started rotating outdoor championships sites in 1934, Oregon has welcomed more finals than any other school. California follows with eight (although they haven’t hosted one since 1968), and no other school has hosted more than five. Looking ahead, the fabled facility will host the 2005 West Regional Championships (5/27-28/05) and 2006 Pacific-10 Conference Championships.
ALL-AMERICA EQUATION: Breaking down the NCAA Honor.
Based on their NCAA Champs performances, individuals are awarded All-America honors by the U.S. Track Coaches Association. The top-eight finishers from each event are honored regardless of citizenship, and any additional U.S. finishers that are among the top eight American finishers are also rewarded. If necessary, the U.S.-based honors can even extend to the top performances in the preceding qualifying round if there are not eight Americans in the event’s final.
THE ROAD TO SACTO: Explaining the Outdoor Regional System.
Over the course of the 2006 outdoor campaign, Duck individuals will try to meet regional qualifying event standards as they bid for invitations to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Regional event standards are based on the 100th best performance nationally from 2005, while all conference champions are also automatically invited to their respective regional. Qualifiers then compete head-to-head in their respective regional among four national sites that host two-day meets on Fri.-Sat., May 26-27, as the Ducks travel to Provo, Utah for the West Regional. Except for the 10,000 meters and heptathlon/decathlon (which still operate on an automatic/provisional standard system similar to the indoor season), the top-five finishers from each individual regional event and top three relay placers automatically advance to the NCAA Championships, nearly two weeks later (June 7-10 in Sacramento, Calif.). Besides the automatic advancers from each regional, an additional 6-8 athletes nationally per individual event are invited by the NCAA Championships selection committee based on a season performance list (in case of injury, illness, etc.) as long as that athlete finished top eight in the regional event.
NCAA MEN’S OUTDOOR REWIND: Three Men Have Placed Top-Two Before.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (6/8-11/05) ? Last year, the ?Men of Oregon’ placed ninth in the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championships for the third time in five years, and the squad welcomes back nine NCAA veterans in ?06, including multiple NCAA champion Tommy Skipper and a pair of former NCAA runners-up ? senior Eric Mitchum (110 hurdles, 2004) and sophomore Galen Rupp (10,000, 2005). Other Ducks with NCAA experience include 3/4 of UO’s record-setting 4x400 and 4x100 relays that placed third and sixth in the ’05 outdoor collegiate finale in school records (3:00.81/39.20), and a quartet of seniors ? Matt Scherer (400), Akobundu Ikwuakor (110/400 hurdles), Jonathan Derby (pole vault) and Andrew Young (decathlon). Mitchum and Skipper are also former Pac-10 and West Regional champions and are among 13 Duck veterans that have already scored top-10 conference finishes in individual events.
NCAA WOMEN’S OUTDOOR REWIND: Field Events Showcase Several Vets.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (6/8-11/05) ? Entering 2006, the Duck women boast the top returning hammer thrower based on ’05 season bests ? junior newcomer Britney Henry (223-8) ? among their six NCAA outdoor veterans. NCAA heptathlon returnee and senior Lauryn Jordan scored the most top-eight individual finishes of any athlete in the Pac-10 finale last year with her points in the high jump (second), heptathlon (fourth), triple jump (fifth) and long jump (eighth). Other key women to watch include two-time All-Americans Reynoso and Lundeen and three fellow NCAA veterans ? junior Emily Enders (pole vault) and redshirt seniors Hannah Moore (pole vault) and Brittany Hinchcliffe (hammer). At the Pac-10 level, Lundeen and Jordan are former Pac-10 runners-up in the javelin and high jump, and are among six Duck veterans that have scored previous top-eight Pac-10 placings.
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