Friends of Oregon Track and Field
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FALL 2012 VOLUME V - ISSUE 1
TRACKTOWN12 : BEST MEET EVER TEN DUCK ALUMS PUNCH TICKETS TO LONDON
Starting top left (left to right): Galen Rupp (10,000m/5,000m), Ashton Eaton (decathlon), Keshia Baker (relays), Becky Holliday (pole vault), Zoe Buckman (1500m), Cyrus Hostetler (javelin), Rachel Yurkovich (javelin), Brianne Theisen (heptathlon), Matthew Centrowitz (1500m), and Andrew Wheating (1500m).
Friends of Oregon Track and Field Newsletter
Message from Vin What an incredible year for the men and women of Oregon! And what an outstanding way to end the year; hosting the Olympic Trials and sending ten Oregon alums to London. I couldn’t be more proud of the efforts of those involved with the planning and execution of the Best Meet Ever. The outdoor season reflected the hard work and dedication our student-athletes and coaches have put towards making our program the best in the country. The culmination of those efforts included the capturing of our sixth straight men’s Pac-12 title and our fourth consecutive women’s Pac-12 championship. Just a few weeks later, an unparalleled 31 Ducks qualified for the NCAA Championships. It was an honor to watch the women of Oregon score more points than ever before in securing their fourth-straight runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships. For the 2012-13 season, we have reorganized and reenergized in an effort to grow our sport and increase the success of our student-athletes and the University of Oregon Track & Field program. I’m excited to bring the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships back to Oregon in 2013 and 2014. I thank you for your continued support and generosity, and I look forward to seeing you at our meets and in the community. Go Ducks!
Vin Lananna Associate Athletic Director
Message from Coach Johnson The past few months have been both exciting and humbling, stepping into my new role as your Head Coach here at the University of Oregon. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to lead our storied program into the future. The support from the community and network of Ducks from all over the country has been overwhelming. I am very excited and honored to welcome two new coaches to the Oregon family. Maurica Powell rejoins UofO as our women’s distance coach and Erik Whitsitt, from Illinois State, takes over our throws group. Maurica and Erik join Assistant Coach Jamie Cook and Associate Head Coach Andy Powell to complete our coaching staff. Matt Downs joins us from the University of Virginia as our Director of Internal Operations while Jill Steele serves as Director of External Operations. We have an incredible group of athletes and an exciting season ahead of us. Our home meet schedule is highlighted by a stacked Pepsi Invitational, a special dual meet between the Men of Oregon and Arkansas and the hosting of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 5-8. I look forward to seeing you all at Hayward Field! Thank you for your continued support. Go Ducks!
Head Coach Robert Johnson
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TRACKTOWN12 OLYMPIC TRIALS RECAP
Over the course of nine thrilling days of competition, ten Oregon track and field alums punched their ticket to the Summer Olympic Games in London. The Oregon fans came out to Historic Hayward Field each day, undeterred by the liquid sunshine, and motivated many memorable performances. Day one of the trials saw Duck alum Galen Rupp punch his ticket to London winning the men’s 10,000 meters in 27:25.33 while former Duck Ashton Eaton broke two world records during his first day of the decathlon. Celebrating 100 years of the decathlon at this year’s Olympic Trials could not have been more perfect for Eaton. Heading into the last event of the decathlon on day two, Eaton needed to run a personal best time in the 1,500 meters to break the world record. As Eaton crossed the finish line and glanced up at the clock, the stadium erupted. Led to the line by Duke’s Curtis Beach, Eaton had run a personal best 4:14.48 to break the world record with 9,039 points. The world record of 9,026 points was held previously by Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, set in 2001. Eaton now owns world records in the decathlon and indoor pentathlon. Former Duck and NCAA Champion Becky Holliday punched her ticket to London on day three after finishing second in the women’s pole vault clearing 14-11 (4.55m). Rounding out day three, alum Keshia Baker finished sixth in the 400 meter finals and joined Team USA as a member of the relay pool. Despite a fifth-place finish in the finals of the javelin on day four, Duck alum Cyrus Hostetler qualified for his first Olympic team as one of only three competitiors in the finals with the Olympic ‘A’ standard. Current University of Oregon freshman Sam Crouser wowed the crowd with a ten-foot personal best throw of 265’1” placing second overall. Unfortunately Crouser did not have the ‘A’ standard. Day five saw more records fall as Galen Rupp broke Steve Prefontaine’s 40 year-old meet record in the 5,000 meters, barely nipping
Bernard Lagat at the line in 13:22.67. With the win, Rupp also became the first American to win both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in the same trials since 1952. The final day saw sunshine and three more alums punching tickets to London. In a thrilling 1,500 meter final, Matthew Centrowitz and Andrew Wheating placed second and third respectively clinching their spots on Team USA. This will be the seoncd Olympic games for Wheating who qualified for Beijing in 2008. In the finals of the women’s javelin, Rachel Yurkovich used a fourth-place finish and the “A” standard to earn her spot on the team. In addition to the eight Duck alums competing for Team USA, Brianne Theisen will compete for Team Canada in the heptathlon and Zoe Buckman will represent Australia in the women’s 1,500 meters. Current Ducks who also saw action at the trials were Elijah Greer (800m), Luke Puskedra (10,000m), Sam Crouser (javelin), Dakotah Keys (decathlon), Johnathan Cabral (110mHH), Trevor Dunbar (5,000m), Mike Berry (400m), English Gardner (100m), Phyllis Francis (400m), Jordan Hasay (1500m), Laura Roesler (800m), Lauryn Newson (triple jump), and Chancey Summers (high jump).
Above: Aston Eaton in the decathlon hurdles, Sam Crouser after placing second overall in the javelin
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Friends of Oregon Track and Field Newsletter
SPRING & SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS
Men and Women of Oregon: Pac-12 Champions!
Above: 2012 Pac-12 Championships, Historic Hayward Field The men of Oregon captured their sixth straight English Gardner, 100 meters, 11.00; conference title as the women of Oregon won their English Gardner, 200 meters, 22.82; fourth straight team title, each becoming only the Phyllis Francis, 400 meters, 52.02; Jordan Hasay, 1,500 meters, 4:13.28 ; second school in league history to do so. Laura Roesler, 800 meters, 2:05.13 and Individual Pac-12 Champions: Lauryn Newson, triple jump, 43’3.25”. Brianne Theisen, Heptathlon, 6,353 points; With her first place finish in the triple jump, secDakotah Keys, Decathlon, 7,793 points; ond place finish in the 100, and third place finish Sam Crouser, Javelin, 250’10” (76.47m); in the 200 meters, senior Lauryn Newson was Alex Kosinski, 10,000, 34:19.67; named Pac-12 Athlete of the Meet. Elijah Greer, 800 meters, 1:48.48; Johnathan Cabral, 110 meter hurdles, 13.61;
Theisen, Gardner and 4x400m Relay Bring Home NCAA Crowns
XC Championship Season
An exciting cross country season is underway for the men and women cross country teams highlighted thus far by the Dellinger Invitational and a phenomenal showing at the NCAA Pre-Nationals meet last month where the women took second and the men grabbed third. The women, who placed fifth at last year’s NCAA championships, along with a young and talented men’s squad, are gearing up for the championship portion of the season. Senior Jordan Hasay is joined this year by former Dartmouth standout Alexi Pappas who have proven they are a tough duo out on the course. They are joined by freshmen Allie Woodward, Annie Leblanc and Abbey Leonardi along with veterans Anne Kesselring, Becca Friday, Sarah Penney and Megan Patrignelli. The men of Oregon are led by senior transfer Trevor Dunbar, junior Parker Stinson and sophomore Jeramy Elkaim. Junior Ben DeJarnette has had a strong start to the season along with sophomores Cole Watson, Ryan Pickering and freshman Matthew Melancon. The Ducks face tough competition at the Pac-12 Championships hosted by UCLA, followed by the NCAA West Regional hosted by the University of Washington November 9, and the NCAA Championships November 17, in Louisville, Kentucky.
2012 Cross Country Schedule Oct 27 Pac-12 Champs, Santa Clarita, CA Nov 9 NCAA West Region, Seattle, WA Nov 17 NCAA Championships, Louisville, KY
Despite scoring the most points ever in an NCAA meet by a Duck squad, the women of Oregon fell just short of team gold at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines. In a very close battle, the Duck women scored a stellar 62 points for a fourth consecutive runner-up finish behind LSU who won with 76 points. Senior Brianne Theisen concluded her outstanding career as a Duck in championship form winning her third NCAA heptathlon title with 6,440 points. With the win, Theisen became just the third woman in NCAA history to win three heptathlon titles. Additionally,
Theisen’s score ranks her No.2 in collegiate history, passing UCLA legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee. After capturing the indoor 60-meter NCAA crown earlier this year, sophomore English Gardner impressed the crowd winning the 100 meter dash in 11.10 becoming Oregon’s first-ever NCAA women’s 100 meter champion. The foursome of Gardner, Chizoba Okodogbe, Laura Roesler and Phyllis Francis edged LSU in the 4x400 with a commanding performance winning in a meet-record 3:24.54.
Ten Oregon Ducks Take on the World in London Ten University of Oregon alumni who competed at London Olympics brought home a trio of medals including two golds - and a half dozen top-10 finishes for TrackTown USA. At the top of that list was Ashton Eaton’s win in the decathlon, becoming the first Duck to medal in that event and only the fourth man to win gold as an Oregon alum. Keshia Baker also grabbed a gold medal - the first for an Oregon woman - as a member of Team USA’s winning 4x400 meter relay squad. She ran the lead leg in the semifinals to help the Americans qualify for the final. Galen Rupp’s silver in the 10,000 meters was a milestone for American distance runners. He became
just the third U.S. runner to medal at that distance, joining Billy Mills (gold, 1964) and Lewis Tewanina (silver, 1912). Rupp ran the fastest 10K time ever by an American (27:30.90). Rupp also placed seventh in the 5,000 meters. Matthew Centrowitz also helped the Americans make gains on the track with his fourth-place finish in the 1,500 meters. Becky Holiday took ninth in the pole vault, while Brianne Theisen placed 11th in the heptathlon representing Canada. Andrew Wheating and Zoe Buckman (Australia) each made the semifinals in the 1500 meters, while Cyrus Hostetler and Rachel Yurkovitch represented Team USA in the javelin.
Follow the Ducks on Facebook and Twitter! @oregontf Robert Johnson: @Run4Ducks Vin Lananna: @vinlananna
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Friends of Oregon Track and Field Newsletter
Getting To Know Arthur Delaney
Most memorable track and field moment: The team bonding we have at the Bowerman before and after practice and sometimes outside of track. I chose UO because: This is Tracktown USA and I wanted to train with some of the best in the nation while possibly becoming one of the best. Favorite Musician: Common or John Legend Favorite Actor: Will Smith Favorite Movie: I like a lot of movies, no favorites (can’t put any down, might embarass myself ) Favorite Food: Chinese food and watermelon
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Support Oregon Track & Field Make a Gift to the Duck Legacy Fund Today!
As we launch into another exciting year of Track and Field at the University of Oregon, we are thankful for your continued support of the Men and Women of Oregon. Your contributions to the program are crucial to the continued success of our teams and the quality of our facilities and home meets. In 2012 we celebrated a women’s Indoor National Championship, men’s and women’s team Pac-12 Conference titles and a successful hosting of the “Best Meet Ever!”, the 2012 USA Track & Field Olympic Team Trials. Help us raise the bar for 2013! Please continue to support Oregon Track and Field through the Duck Legacy Fund. Make checks payable to the University of Oregon Foundation, with a notation on the check stating “Oregon Athletics Legacy Fund: supporting track and field”. Send to the attention of: U of O Track & Field Len Casanova Athletic Center 2727 Leo Harris Parkway Eugene, Oregon 97401 Please note: Individuals contributions to the Duck Track & Field legacy fund are tax deductible. Contributions to the Legacy Fund accumulate lifetime Duck Athletic Fund points, but do not count towards annual seat and parking license fees for football and basketball.
Coming in November.... 2013 Season Ticket Renewals! Be the first to secure your seats for our home meet season and the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Championships!
Hero: God and Jesus If I could switch places with anyone on the team, it would be: Coach Johnson because I want to know what he thinks about and how he does what he does. Favorite Quote: “Silence is golden.” Best advice you’ve ever received: Don’t let anyone bring you down because they’re most likely jealous, they like you or they are mad. Nicknames: Art, Arth, Arty, Ardur, Prince Charming Favorite TV Show: DBZ, Avatar, Naruto, Spongebob Favorite Athlete: Anderson Silva, Lebron James, English Gardner, Mike Berry, Joeal Hotchkins If I could meet three people living or dead, it would be: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit
2013 Alumni Reunion Save the Date Friday, June 7th, 2013 The Alumni Reunion will held during the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships June 5-8, 2013 Registration information and event details will be included in the January Newsletter.
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