2007 Cross Country Roster
Roster
A.J. Casteel
- Position:
- Distance
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- null
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Wilsonville, Ore.
- High School:
- Wilsonville
Experienced runner who will compete during the indoor season only, having exhausted his outdoor eligibility last spring. One of the Ducks’ most versatile distance runners. In track competed in the 800 and 1,500 meters and the steeplechase. NCAA Regional qualifier in the 1,500 meters. Joined Ducks for winter term of 2007 after an All-America junior college career at Lane Community College. As a prep, was an Oregon state 800 meter runner-up and multiple state meet scorer in the 800, the 1,500 and the 4x400 meter relay.
2008-09: Saw action in the 800 meters at three indoor meets. Competed in three early season cross country meets, including the Pre’s Trail Run, the Mike Hodges Invitational and the Beaver Classic.
2007-08: Became an NCAA Regional qualifier late in the year. Raced mainly at 1,500 meters, where he had top-five finishes at the Oregon Preview, the Oregon Relays and the Cardinal Invitational. In his final home meet, ran personal-best 3:47.52 to qualify for his first NCAA Regional. Indoors, was a scorer at the MPSF Championships, finishing sixth in the 800 meters (1:53.28). Redshirted the cross country season. Season Bests: Outdoors - 800 Meters - 1:52.32, Pepsi Team Invite, Eugene, Ore. (4/5/08); 1,500 Meters - 3:47.52 (PR), Oregon Twilight, Eugene, Ore. (5/9/08). Indoors - 800 Meters - 1:52.66, Husky Classic, Seattle, Wash. (2/16/08).
2006-07: Pac-10 Championships qualifier in the steeplechase. Capped outdoor season with a personal best in the steeplechase during his Pac-10 Championships debut. At season’s end, ranked second for UO in the steeplechase and top-five in the 800 meters (third) and 1,500 meters (fifth). Indoors, led UO in the 800 meter by running a personal best while competing against many of the West Coast’s top middle distance runners in the Mountain Pacific Championships. Also ran the 800-meter leg on the NCAA provisional qualifying distance medley relay in the UW Indoor Invitational in January (third 9:41.64). Season Bests: Outdoors - 800 Meters - 1:52.21 (PR), Oregon Twilight, Eugene, Ore. (5/6/07); 1,500 Meters - 3:49.93, Oregon Invitational, Eugene, Ore. (4/20/07); Steeplechase - 9:17.02 (PR), Pac-10 Championships, Stanford, Calif. (5/12/07). Indoors - 800 Meters - 1:51.33 (PR), Mountain Pacific Championships, Seattle, Wash. (2/24/07).
Before Oregon: Competed for Lane Community College from winter 2005 to fall 2006 and was a two-time All-American for his top-three finishes in various events in national championships. Finished top eight in NWAACC Championships in 2006 in the 800 meters (eighth), 1,500 meters (third) and steeplechase (fifth) and in 2005 in the 1,500 meters (second) and 800 meters (eighth).
Prep: Scored in Oregon 3A state track and field championships as a senior (800 meters, second, 1:56.63; 4x400 meter relay, second, 3:26.00), junior (800 meters, eighth; 1,500 meters, third) and sophomore (800 meters, fifth; 4x400 meter relay, first). On state season bests lists, led 3A rankings in the 800 meters as a senior (1:54.57) and junior (1:55.4). In state cross country action, placed top-10 as a senior (eighth) and junior (ninth). A district individual cross champion, he also competed in the Oregon-Washington Border Clash twice, and also helped Wilsonville team to two state cross country titles and three track and field championships. Also competed for Timber Hill Harriers track club. Owned prep bests of 1:54.57 and 4:02 in the 800 and 1,500 meters. Honor roll member.
Personal: Psychology major.
Personal Bests
800 Meters - 1:51.33 (I),
MPSF Championships,
Seattle, Wash., 2/24/07
1,500 Meters - 3:47.52,
Oregon Twilight,
Eugene, Ore., 5/9/08
Pac-10 Championships Performances
2007 - 3,000 Meter Steeplechase, 13th, 9:17.02
NCAA West Regional Performances
2008 - 1,500 Meters, 19th, 3:59.99
