When Martin Smith replaced Bill Dellinger as the Oregon men’s track coach in fall 1998, he spoke about his plans for Tracktown, U.S.A.
That he wanted to rebuild the Ducks to a national powerhouse. That he wanted to rekindle the mystic of Hayward Field. That he wanted to put a championship attitude in the hearts of Oregon athletes.
One out of three isn’t bad.
The Ducks are buzzing about Smith’s teamwork philosophy — a simple motto that turns the usually individual nature of track and field into a team contest.
“Work not only for yourself, but for the team,” sprinter Howard Moore said. “Coach Smith’s emphasis this year is for the track team as a whole to work as a unit. By each person contributing 100 percent as a unit, it betters the whole.”
Smith is buzzing about the way his team has accepted his system, and after a strong showing at the Stanford Invitational last weekend, the second-year head coach is ready to take one more step closer to his vision.
“If we can continue to keep our enthusiasm and focus from the Stanford Invitational through the entire outdoor season,” Smith said, “that is the most important thing we need to concentrate on.
Also, Oregon is healthy — unlike when seemingly everyone was plagued with an injury down the stretch of the season.
“It was a frustrating season,” said Moore, a senior who was hampered last season with injuries. “I knew what I could do, but what my body was allowing me to do was a totally different thing. I want to stay injury-free and qualify for the NCAAs.”
Distance runner Steve Fein is another Duck who wants to improve his performance. Fein, a senior, has set goals this season to beat his personal best time of 13 minutes, 40.86 seconds in the 5,000 meters, finish in the top three nationally and compete in the 2000 Olympic Trials.
Fein, who followed Smith last season from Wisconsin, has watched his teammates’ transition into Smith’s system over the last year.
“Already this team has shown it is used to its new coach and has bridged into that system,” Fein said. “This team will have many positive aspects show from its support of Martin.”
The positive effects from the Ducks’ team mentality are apparent. At the Stanford Invitational, Moore was amazed at how “pumped up” his coaches were for him to compete.
At the Oregon Preview on March 11, sophomore high jumper Jason Boness was excited to see so many spectators excited about track and field — and then he was informed that the Preview attracted the smallest crowd of the season.
“I look forward to seeing Hayward Field full of people,” said Boness, the All-American transfer from Northern Iowa. “In my event, you draw a lot of energy from the crowd.
“What I want to try to do is spark the fire for everyone else. I’m trying to win my event, and I’m trying to qualify for the NCAAs, but I’m trying to spark everyone else to do the same and follow me.”
Fein and senior Andrew Bliss provide seasoned leadership for the distance running corps, which also has freshman phenom Jason Hartmann in its arsenal. Boness and Moore provide consistent strength to their respective squads.
And Oregon’s postseason play should be given a lofty boost by its fans, as this season’s Pac-10 championships will be held at Hayward Field on May 20-21.
“Obviously, that is incredibly exciting,” Smith said. “We love running at home. That’s an added incentive, an added plus. It’s very positive for our track team.”