I have been reading some rumblings on another Duck website from a few Duck track fans that they are very disappointed with the performance of the men and women track teams. Some are criticizing coach Johnson.
Oregon track fans have high expectations. We are perhaps the most fortunate and spoiled college track fans in the country. However, this meet was bitter sweet.
Going in, most of us were excited to see how Oregon would do against rival USC. After all, USC's women are ranked second in the nation. USC's men are ranked 13th. Although we recognize that Penn State and Washington are solid college track teams, I doubt that many Duck fans envisioned that the Oregon men would have to fight till the end to tie Penn State. I'd imagine that even fewer thought that we would see The King get left in the trail wind of UW's Colby Gilbert on the bell lap. Even one of our most decorated track athletes, Jasmine Todd, was destroyed in the 200m.
OK enough with the bitter. Let's get to the sweet.
a)The women's 4x400 was a thrill. Raevyn Rogers was clutch as she came from behind to win at the tape and seal the team victory.
b)The women's 4x100 relay broke the school record and finihed first.
c) Devon Allen was an iron man, winning the 110h, 400h, and running a leg on both relay teams.
d) Raevyn Rogers easily handled the field in the 800m....as usual.
e) Gregg Skipper dominated the hammer.
f) A new star emerged in the 100h, Alaysha Johnson....and she is young. She won the event over her more heralded teammate Sasha Wallace. Alaysha set a meet record with the second fastest time in school history....then ran a good leg on the 4x400!
g) Ariana Washington won the 100m.
h) most importantly the Duck women won over a talented team field that included the second ranked team in the nation.
I could name some more areas of disappointment, and a few areas where the Ducks won, all be it unimpressively....but it was that kind of meet.
In the end, track isn't as predictable as many think. Just like in all sports, athletes have good days and bad days. The training is tricky and it is geared for the long run, not the next week. I can't promise that the men or the women will win another NCAA outdoor team title this spring. What I can promise is that they are still in the hunt. This was a meet filled with ups and downs. In the end the thrills out weighed the disapointments.
Oregon track fans have high expectations. We are perhaps the most fortunate and spoiled college track fans in the country. However, this meet was bitter sweet.
Going in, most of us were excited to see how Oregon would do against rival USC. After all, USC's women are ranked second in the nation. USC's men are ranked 13th. Although we recognize that Penn State and Washington are solid college track teams, I doubt that many Duck fans envisioned that the Oregon men would have to fight till the end to tie Penn State. I'd imagine that even fewer thought that we would see The King get left in the trail wind of UW's Colby Gilbert on the bell lap. Even one of our most decorated track athletes, Jasmine Todd, was destroyed in the 200m.
OK enough with the bitter. Let's get to the sweet.
a)The women's 4x400 was a thrill. Raevyn Rogers was clutch as she came from behind to win at the tape and seal the team victory.
b)The women's 4x100 relay broke the school record and finihed first.
c) Devon Allen was an iron man, winning the 110h, 400h, and running a leg on both relay teams.
d) Raevyn Rogers easily handled the field in the 800m....as usual.
e) Gregg Skipper dominated the hammer.
f) A new star emerged in the 100h, Alaysha Johnson....and she is young. She won the event over her more heralded teammate Sasha Wallace. Alaysha set a meet record with the second fastest time in school history....then ran a good leg on the 4x400!
g) Ariana Washington won the 100m.
h) most importantly the Duck women won over a talented team field that included the second ranked team in the nation.
I could name some more areas of disappointment, and a few areas where the Ducks won, all be it unimpressively....but it was that kind of meet.
In the end, track isn't as predictable as many think. Just like in all sports, athletes have good days and bad days. The training is tricky and it is geared for the long run, not the next week. I can't promise that the men or the women will win another NCAA outdoor team title this spring. What I can promise is that they are still in the hunt. This was a meet filled with ups and downs. In the end the thrills out weighed the disapointments.
Last edited:
