TrackTown, USA: Our day began early as our friend, Vin Lananna, was being presented with the Legend Coach Award at a breakfast-time ceremony at a downtown hotel. No matter how many times we had been to this hotel, we didn't know it had a fabulous space on the 12th floor with views north and south, covering the entire Eugene metro area.
We couldn't be prouder of our friend, or of his amazing accomplishments as a coach. Imagine all the lives he has touched. All the champions he has coached! A great day for Coach Lananna. Later in the day, the award was "re-awarded" on the track, and all the fans cheered for a great man who has meant so much to our sport - and so much to the University of Oregon.
Again today, the field events and races were fast and furious. I hope you all watched the meet. With many finals, the team for Tokyo is looking very solid. There were a few shockers (not in the good way), when athletes we "knew" would make the team did not. This is why the USA team is known as the HARDEST TEAM TO MAKE. As I have written so many times, most countries simply select their championship teams, by current fitness levels, etc., and probability to win. In America, the top 3 finishers in the US Championships go the World Championships. Do or Die. You can be the fastest miler in the world, but one slip up, one bad lap, one bad day, and you don't make the team. You can false start. Trip over a hurdle. Not make it over the pole vault bar. Stumble out of your lane. Totally flop in the event you have trained for the last two years. Finish 4th in a 25-lap race. There is a lot of drama in track & field.
Several Para athletic events were interspersed into the able-bodied races on Day 3. Just inspiring to see! Tara Davis-Woodhall (US long jump champ) cheered in front of us as her husband, Hunter Woodhall won the 400m sprint - running on fiber carbon blades - as his legs had been amputated when he was a child. The Woodhall's are track & field's current power couple - encouraging each other, and are super friendly with fans. They spew personality, youth, love and charisma.
Hunter in white singlet, Tara in red.
Our friend, Rita, from DC flew in to spend the day at the meet - always great to see her. Friends from everywhere seemed to gather today. Always a busy social time. After the meet we had dinner with our posse and called it a very early night.
Today, Leo turned 14!
Side note: While out on his daily exercise, DT snapped a photo of the house we rented (we rented the right half, all on the lower floor) just before we left Eugene (back in the day):
When we lived here - circa 1977-78? - it was a white house that had been turned into two apartments. Much later, it was returned to a single-family home, and maybe now it is a day care center? I do not really remember much about this place, except it had a teeny worthless kitchen and we used to keep a window open for our cat, Spot, to go in and out... and occasionally Spot would bring a snake, bird, or mouse in through the open window. Fun times. Once a possum came in through the window, but that is a wholenother blog post.
Please watch the meet on TV Sunday on NBC/Peacock. It's gonna be epic.
Until my next update, I remain, your cheerleading correspondent.
Links:
Results from the meet