Track Town, USA: Everything came together for the Men of Oregon this afternoon as they scored 35 points, clinching their first NCCA Track & Field outdoor title since 1984 - when DT's college coach, Bill Dellinger, was still in charge.
Before I bore you with my report from the track, please note the photo above - today's Duck uniforms. Retro Duck.I can't make this stuff up.
We were eight today: me, Greg & Katie, DT, Mary, Steve, Woody & Kathy (down there somewhere)... there was not an empty seat in the 11,000+ seat house.Oregon Native, junior Sam Crouser, threw the javelin 252'7" on his final attempt to become the 2014 NCAA Champion. Ten points
Devon Allen (Phoenix, Arizona) won the 110m hurdles in 13.16. His mark was a meet record and the second-fastest time ever by a collegiate athlete. According to my sources, Allen is also a wide receiver on the Oregon football team. Ten points.
Lalang of Arizona leading the pack early in the 1500m finalIn yet another thrilling race, Oregon senior Mac Fleet (from San Diego) won the 1500m in 3:39.09, barely nipping Arizona super-star Lawi Lalang at the tape:
Even I (super Duck supporter/fanatic) had picked the fantabulous Mr. Lalang to win the 1500m. Today's final was the last college race for Fleet and Lalang, and you wouldn't believe how high DT jumped as Mr. Fleet crossed the finish line and threw his hands in the air.
Mac Fleet says he gets his strength from the Hayward fansFleet's 3:39.09 time (Lalang finished in 3:39.13!!!) gave the Duck men ten powerful points.
Ducks gather to celebrate their victoryWith 3 points from Tanguy Pepiot (Besancon, France) in the steeple chase final, and 2 points from Arthur Delaney (Gresham, Oregon) in the 200m, the Men of Oregon scored 35 big points today, and earned four individual titles (10000m, 1500m, 110 hurdles and javelin) over the four-day meet.
The Women of Oregon also had a great day. With 2 unexpected points from a life-time-best shot put from Brittany Mann (7th place), a 3rd place finish in the 4x400m relay (Laura Roesler passed four women on her 3rd-leg sprint) and the omnipresent (long jump title, 3rd in the 100m) Jenna Prandini coming in second in the 200m (22.63), the Lady Ducks finished 3rd overall. Texas A&M are the 2014 NCAA Track & Field Champions with 75 points, followed by Texas, 66. The Lady Ducks earned 59 points.
So many track team members will be graduating tomorrow from the University of Oregon. Gosh, I'm going to miss you all so much and hope the graduates attend the Lame Duck Reunion next year!
Katie & GregI'm going to miss these two as well. It was so much fun spending the past four days with Kathy & Woody's #3 and her husband.
Please visit the amazing slideshow from the Oregon Daily Emerald (the University of Oregon student newspaper). Scroll down to the bottom to see photos of the team dunking Coach Robert Johnson in the steeplechase hazard after the victory.
Until my next update, I remain, your proud correspondent.
You may also like:
Official NCAA results
NOTE TO READERS: I am not a sports reporter. This is my a report of my view of the day.
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