One of only two Ducks to run a sub-4:00 indoor mile will join three other middle-distance runners traveling to New York City to compete in the Millrose Games today in historic Madison Square Garden. Michael McGrath, whose landmark run earned him an NCAA invitation, will be joined by fellow junior A.J. Casteel and freshmen Ryan Waite and Andrew Wheating as the foursome competes in the 4x800m relay.
In addition to the phenomenal mile, McGrath, a graduate of Lincoln High School, holds records in the 800-meters both outdoors and indoors with times of 1:47.62 and 1.50.10 in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Casteel, who joined the team early in winter term, earned junior college All-American status in the 1,500m for the past two seasons for his performance in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Championships. As a member of the Wilsonville High School team Casteel placed in the top three for both the 800 and 1,500m runs.
The youngsters of the group have shown tremendous promise over the course of their first seasons. Wheating ranked fourth nationally in the 1,500m with a 3:54.28 in only his first year running and scored the best time in the 5,000-meters as a high schooler, with a 14:55.28 mark. Waite, who calls St. Helens, Ore. home, took third in the 2006 Nike Outdoor Nationals.
This trip marks the Ducks’ first trip to the Millrose Games since Leann Warren made the trip in 1983 and took second place in an unorthodox 11-lap mile. It also marks the first time an Oregon male athlete has competed in the event since 1981 when Alberto Salazar finished 2.2 seconds short of an American record in the 5,000-meters.
Joining the Ducks at the Millrose Games are several of the top middle-distance teams in the nation including American University, Boston College, Georgetown, Cornell, Villanova and Seton Hall.
Last weekend, all of the runners competing in the Millrose took part in either 800- or 1,600-meter provisional NCAA qualifiers that saw Oregon clock the second and third fastest times in the University’s history with marks of 9:41.64 and 9:42.06.
Also this weekend, Oregon sends members of its track and field squad to the Husker Invitational to be held today and Saturday in Lincoln, Neb. All-Americans Tommy Skipper, Brian Richotte and Lauryn Jordan will join 16 other Duck athletes slated to sprint, jump and throw at the early-season event. Included among the 19 Oregon competitors are four athletes who have already qualified provisionally for the 2007 NCAA Championships in thrower Richotte, long jumper Jordan and freshmen Ashton Eaton and Eniko Eros in the long jump and 60m hurdles and women’s pole vault, respectively.
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