Friends of Oregon Track and Field
NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014 VOLUME VI - ISSUE III
Men & Women bring Twin Titles to TrackTown!
Above: Oregon women and men celebrate their 2014 NCAA Indoor Championship Team Titles
Without question, it was the most successful indoor track and field season in University of Oregon history. A season that ended with two electrifying NCAA Championship titles also included an American Record, an American Junior Record, a Collegiate Record, 29 first team All-American performances, 9 school records and numerous Oregon top-ten performances by our teams. It was a season that started with great promise at January’s UW Preview, continued throughout February, and did not disappoint on the second weekend in March at the NCAA Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The most impressive day of all was Saturday, March 15, when for the first time ever both the Men and Women of Oregon brought home national titles on the same day. The men’s team led throughout most of the two-day competition and sealed their first NCAA Championship victory since 2009 after a strong performance in the 3,000 meters, while the women suffered a slow start but roared down the homestretch to claim their record-tying fifth straight NCAA Indoor title. The final event of the meet, the women’s 4x400 meter relay, proved to be the most dramatic of the weekend. After making up ground on the competition all evening, the Women of Oregon trailed both Texas and Florida by 1.5 points, setting up a winner-take-all relay final. It was a race for the ages that has been replayed all over TrackTown USA since the exciting finish. Phyllis Francis, who won the open 400 meters in an American Record 50.46 ninety minutes earlier, erased Texas’s slight edge over the final strides to earn the event win by .02 seconds, setting
a collegiate record of 3:27.40. Her lean ultimately gave the Ducks their fifth straight team title, outdistancing team runner-up Texas by a half of a point. The Oregon women had a slow start to the competition, scoring just six points and sitting in 14th place after the first day of competition. Their 38 points in day two catapulted them into title contention and started with Francis’ American Record performance in the 400 meters. Her world-leading and collegiate record time is also the fastest in the world since 2007 and is the first 400 meter National Championship in Oregon women’s history. Jasmine Todd and Jenna Prandini followed with eight points in the 60 meter dash, an event where the Ducks are steadily proving their dominance. Todd took third with a personal-best time of 7.16, the second fastest in school history, while Prandini placed seventh in 7.32. Laura Roesler provided the final piece to put Oregon in a position to claim the trophy when she picked up her first individual National Championship in the 800 meters. The senior, who had been ranked number one all season, made her move with 150 meters remaining and won in 2:03.85. The victory for the Men of Oregon was far less dramatic, but just as exciting. The team finished with a school record 62 points, coming from the entire squad, as all twelve Ducks who competed in Albuquerque Continued on page three...
Friends of Oregon Track and Field Newsletter
Greetings from TrackTown USA!
What an incredible way to end the indoor track and field season with both the Men and Women of Oregon taking home NCAA Titles! Congratulations to our Oregon coaches and athletes for their great performances in Albuquerque. And now as we approach the midway mark in the collegiate outdoor season, we are excited to welcome you back to Hayward Field many times this Spring and Summer. We have two remaining home meets—the Oregon Relays, April 17-19 and the Oregon Twilight, May 9—to get us warmed up for the 2014 NCAA Championships, June 11-14. We are doing everything we can to fill the stands with boisterous fans in support of our men’s and women’s teams as they take on the best collegians in the country at the NCAAs. And we hope you will be there too. This year, the indoor title for the women came down to a lean at the finish and just half of a point, so we need you cheering our Oregon student-athletes down the homestretch in June. While you return to your athletic home for the NCAA Championships, we hope that you will take some time on Friday night to join your fellow alumni at the Oregon Track & Field Homecoming. So many smiles, laughs, good stories, great pictures and wonderful memories come out of this annual gathering of friends and teammates, you don’t want to miss this chance to enjoy an evening with the Oregon Track & Field Family. Call your teammates, put it on your calendar, and let’s make it the best one yet! Go Ducks!
Vin Lananna Associate Athletic Director
GoDucks.com
Alumni, Duck Fans and Friends of Oregon Track & Field Don’t Miss the 2014 Oregon Track & Field Alumni Homecoming Friday, June 13 @ 7pm • Ford Alumni Center, Ballroom
Join Oregon Friends and Alumni from all generations in coming back home to celebrate, reminisce and reconnect. Visit OregonTFAlumni.org for more info. Send in your registration form today (located at end of newsletter).
We Look Forward to Seeing You!
Be Sure to Support Your Ducks and Get Your Seat for an Outstanding Championships Season at Hayward Field NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships Wednesday, June 11 - Saturday, June 14 IAAF World Junior Championships and RunTrackTown Tuesday, July 22 - Sunday, July 27, 2014 Tickets Available at GoDucks.com/tracktickets
TrackTown Events: NCAAs, IAAF World Junior Championships and Run TrackTown With perhaps the best Championships Season of track and field at Hayward Field right around the corner, many exciting partnerships and events are in the works for 2014. The NCAAs June 11–14, will not only have the best Division I collegiate athletes in country competing for individual and team championships, they will have an exciting fan interactive zone for everyone with a ticket. This area will celebrate the history of the event and past NCAA champions and provide you with multiple photo and social media opportunities. In addition, the young track and field fans in our region will have the opportunity to experience Olympic Day on Thursday, June 12. Their day will include a chance to interact with Olympians, learn about the sport and to see the competition first hand from the East Grandstands. The IAAF World Junior Championships, featuring the world’s best athletes under 20, takes place July 22–27. The Run TrackTown weekend (July 25–27) adds many great programs around the competition. In collaboration with the University of Oregon, a Student Ambassadors Program has been created, where Oregon students are training to be a liaison to the international delegations making the trip to TrackTown USA. They will serve as a resource to the team officials
and athletes, and they will provide a meaningful connection between our guests, the University of Oregon and our community. The UO Office of International Affairs and the Department of Human Physiology in conjunction with the Bowerman Sports Science Clinic are hosting the UO Global Expo and the 2014 International Sports Science Symposium on Performance Enhancement and Technology, respectively. “This wonderful collaboration with the academic community is unprecedented and the IAAF World Junior Championships is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the academic excellence of the UO to an international audience,” states TrackTown USA’s President Vin Lananna. For more information, please visit www. international.uoregon.edu/expo We are encouraging everyone to join us in welcoming the world to TrackTown USA. Individuals and businesses can join the Friends of Oregon Flag Program. For $500 you will receive two reserved tickets, hospitality, souvenir program and poster and the flag from your country of choice. Help us welcome the international athletes to Oregon by displaying the flag while the international teams are in our community for the championships. For more information or to support this program, please visit www.gotracktownusa.com.
Friends of Oregon Track and Field Newsletter
Message from Coach Johnson It is a great time to be a Duck! The last several months, including the end of the indoor season, have been a whirlwind of many outstanding individual and team performances. Several weeks ago, our men’s and women’s teams returned home after claiming two National Championships. It was an amazing weekend filled with too many memorable performances to note here. At the end of the first day of competition, I told our team that they didn’t need to do anything special, but that all we needed was to Be Oregon. There was no doubt it was our team spirit and camaraderie that propelled us to the top of the podium. Needless to say, I could not be prouder of our student-athletes for bringing home Oregon’s 21st and 22nd NCAA titles in track and field and cross country. Our program remains one of the most dominant in NCAA and we continue to look for ways to enjoy the process and get better every day. Our teams are looking forward to the rest of the outdoor season and competing at home again. When the Ducks compete on the road, we always remind them to bring the Hayward Magic everywhere we go. There is no place in the world like it, and our first time competing in front of the packed Hayward stands is always a welcome reminder of the great support you give our teams. The Oregon men and women opened the outdoor season at the Oregon Preview and traveled south to California for spring break. On Saturday, we hosted one of the best dual meets in the country where we took on Arizona at Hayward Field. The Pac-12 Championships will be held at Washington State where our men and women look to continue their impressive championship streaks. Once again, the NCAA season concludes in Eugene when we host the NCAA Championships in June. This summer we will have a special opportunity to host the World Junior Championships, where Hayward Field will welcome the best junior athletes in the world. I look forward to seeing you in the stands and cheering for our teams. Your unwavering support ensures our program’s success now and into the future. Our student-athletes and coaches could not be more appreciative of your continued support. Go Ducks!
Robert Johnson Head Track and Field Coach
Follow the Ducks on Social Media
GoDucks.com
2014 Duck Indoor Titles Continued... scored points for the team. The men took the lead after the fourth event of the competition, the 5000 meters, and held on to outscore last year’s champion Arkansas by eight points. Oregon’s scoring began after NCAA Cross Country Champion Edward Cheserek overtook pre-race favorite Lawi Lalang in the 5,000 meters. Senior Parker Stinson surged over the final 200 meters of that race to take third, and kicking off a phenomenal start to the weekend. Later on Friday evening, Trevor Dunbar anchored the Ducks distance medley relay team to a runner-up finish to give the team the lead after day one with 24 points, eight ahead of Arizona. Day two began with Dakotah Keys finishing fourth in the final standings of the heptathlon with 5,942 points, the second-highest total in school history behind collegiate record holder Ashton Eaton. Oregon’s lead continued to grow early, as Mac Fleet, Johnathan Cabral and Mike Berry combined for 16 points in the first three running events of the evening. Fleet ran within himself and an eye on team points to finish third in the mile in 4:02.96. Cabral finished fourth in the 60
meter hurdles in a school record 7.65 while Mike Berry tied his own school record of 45.64 in the 400 to finish fourth in the event and further build the team cushion heading into the 3,000. The 3,000 meters proved pivotal as the Ducks had an opportunity to seal the Championship with three entries in the race. Cheserek completed his double-event sweep in the 3,000 and 5,000, finishing with a time of 8:11.59. The freshman is now 3-for-3 in NCAA Championship races. Dunbar added a fifth-place finish to give the Ducks an insurmountable 11-point lead over Arkansas heading into the 4x400 meter relay where the Ducks placed sixth. In all, 29 Ducks earned first team AllAmerica honors, the most in school history. Laura Roesler, who earned West Regional Athlete of the Year, became the most decorated All-American in Oregon history with 15 total awards. Assistant Coach Curtis Taylor earned West Regional Assistant Coach of the Year honors. Freshman Edward Cheserek was honored as the National Track Athlete of the Year while Head Coach Robert Johnson received National Men’s and Women’s Head Coach of the Year awards.
Above (L to R): Oregon NCAA Indoor Individual Champions: Phyllis Francis, 400 meters; Laura Roesler, 800 meters; and Edward Cheserek, 3000 meters and 5000 meters.
Oregon Team: Robert Johnson: Vin Lananna:
@oregontf @Run4Ducks @vinlananna
www.facebook.com/oregontf
Friends of Oregon Track and Field Newsletter
GoDucks.com
An Outstanding 2014 Outdoor Season Still Ahead for Oregon Men and Women The 2014 Oregon Track and Field Season is once again highlighted by the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which return to TrackTown, USA for the 12th time on June 11-14. It is the third time in five years Hayward Field has hosted the NCAA Outdoor Championships and is the second of nine consecutive years Oregon will host the nation’s best college athletes. Both the women’s and men’s teams finished with team trophies last year, scoring third and fourth place finishes, respectively. The Ducks will look to leave their mark again as 16 AllAmericans from last year’s championship teams return to the 2014 line-up. This year’s outdoor season opened with great celebration on March 22 at the Oregon Preview, when the team competed for the first time after winning two NCAA Indoor Titles the week before. The meet served not only as a rust-buster for the team after an exam break but also was an opportunity to welcome the nation’s top recruiting class to Hayward Field. The newcomers were excited to experience the famed Hayward Field magic for the first time in an Oregon uniform. The season continued with a spring break trip to San Diego. The trip served in part as a warm-weather training opportunity for a week and also as the second competitive opportunity of the season for the Ducks. Our men’s and women’s teams competed very well at last weekend’s Pepsi Dual agaist Arizona. It was the first time in many years that both the men and women competed in a dual meet setting. Both teams dominated the meet, outscoring the Wildcats in nearly every event. The meet showed the great depth our team has at the moment and prepared our athletes for the competitive, team environment of the championship season to come. We will host our annual Oregon Relays, April 17-19. The meet includes the largest high school track and field competition in the northwest alongside high-quality collegiate fields. That same weekend, a portion of the team will travel to the Mt. SAC Relays, annually one
of the best meets in the country. A trip east to the 120th Penn Relays at Franklin Field will follow on April 24-26. The Penn Relays will be the first time much of the team will face the level of competition they will face later in the season at the NCAA Championships, as national rivals Texas A&M, Florida and Texas are expected to attend. The Oregon Twilight meet, May 9, will display both the present and past of Oregon Track and Field as a number of Duck alumni are expected to make a return to Hayward Field in an exciting televised competition. The Twilight meet will be the last tune-up for the Ducks before the Pac-12 Championships, hosted by Washington State, which begin with the combined events, May 10-11, and continue with the bulk of the meet, May 17-18. The Ducks have swept the conference championship five consecutive years and are in prime position to do the same this year. The NCAA West Regional Preliminary Rounds will take place May 29-31 at the University of Arkansas, leading up to a homecoming at the NCAA Championships. Seniors Mike Berry, Trevor Dunbar and Mac Fleet lead a men’s team that is looking to win their first NCAA Outdoor National Championship since 1984. They will be bolstered by a squad that includes the NCAA runner-up in the javelin Sam Crouser, hammer thrower Greg Skipper, decathlete Dakotah Keys, and the Oregon outdoor debuts of freshman sensation Edward Cheserek and transfer Eric Jenkins. Seniors Phyllis Francis, Chizoba Okodogbe, Megan Patrignelli and Laura Roesler lead the 5-time indoor national championship women’s team that is looking for their first outdoor title since 1985. They are joined by multi-sport star Liz Brenner, sprinter Jenna Prandini, and the Oregon outdoor debuts of freshman Haley Crouser, sprinter/ jumper Jasmine Todd, and hurdler Sasha Wallace.
Above (Left to Right): Oregon Middle Distance Runner, Mac Fleet; Sprinter, Jenna Prandini; and 400 meter specialist, Mike Berry.
Friends of Oregon Track and Field Newsletter
Getting To Know Marcus Chambers
GoDucks.com Most memorable track and field moment... Running for the USA Pan American Team. It was an experience where I met other track and field athletes from other countries and competed against them representing my country. Getting together with 3 other guys and running a 4x400m relay and winning gold was the best feeling ever. I chose UO because… It is TrackTown USA and because of Coach Johnson. UO is a place that supports track like no other place in the U.S. and I wanted to be a part of that and help the men’s team win a national championship. I had a great relationship with Coach Johnson and I believed he would help me get to the next level in track and field and be there for me to talk to if I needed him off the track. Favorite musician… J. Cole.
Freshman 400m runner from Tacoma, WA
Marcus Chambers earned two first team All-America awards at the Indoor NCAA Championships after racing the 400 meter leg on the Duck’s runner-up distance medley relay team and a leg on Oregon sixth place 4x400 meter relay team.
Oregon Track & Field Alumni and Friends
Hero… My father. Man who never gives up or backs down from a challenge. And he is a true leader and has taught be to be one as well. Favorite T.V. show… Fresh Prince of Bel Air Favorite quote… “Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months, and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.” –T. Alan Armstrong Favorite athlete… Allen Iverson Most prized possession … High school memories
Favorite actor/actress… Will Smith – he is hilarious.
If you could meet three people living or dead, who would they be... Beyonce, Victoria Justice and Allison Felix.
Favorite movie… Coach Carter – basketball was my first love and that movie was great to me.
Something most people don’t know about you… I could have played Division I basketball.
Favorite food… Fried Chicken.
TrackTown Tuesday’s Join us on the first Tuesday of every month through July 2014 at the Eugene Downtown Athletic Club as we bring the community together to celebrate and recognize those who make TrackTown USA such a special place.
Visit us on Facebook for the latest information about the 2014 Oregon Track & Field Friends and Alumni Homecoming!
For more information visit gotracktownusa.com
www.facebook.com/oregontfalumni
Follow Us on the Web! University of Oregon Track & Field & 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships
www.goducks.com
Everything Happening in TrackTown and Our Sport
www.gotracktownusa.com
Home of the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships
www.oregon14.com
Oregon Track & Field Friends and Alumni Homecoming Registration Ford Alumni Center Ballroom- Friday, June 13, 2014 @ 7pm Return Registration To: Oregon Track & Field Homecoming, 2727 Leo Harris Parkway, Eugene, OR 97401 Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Graduation Year: ____________ Phone Number: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ City: ________________ State: ______ Zip: ______________ Email Address: (please provide, so we can forward you info regarding the reunion): _____________________________________________ ____ Please Charge my Mastercard/Visa #: ___________________________________________________________________________ Credit Card Expiration Date: _____________ Security Code (on back of card): _____________ ____ Enclosed please find a check payable to UO Athletic Department Number of attendees: _______ x $35.00 (if mailed by May 24) or $45.00 (if mailed after May 24) = $___________ In order to assist us in printing name tags for all guests, please list all attendees included on this registration. For questions, please email oregontfalumni@gmail.com. For information on accommodations, please visit EugeneCascadesCoasts.org