Oregon associate head track and field coach Robert Johnson stood at the podium, addressing a group of ardent Duck supporters last week at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center bonus room. Outside, the sky was gray, and the rain was consistent.
Johnson and the Ducks had just returned from the NCAA West Regionals in Austin,
Texas, competing for three days in 90-degree heat. Coaches of other teams would approach the Oregon coaching staff with weather-related questions at the meet. The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships — today through Saturday at Hayward Field — were rapidly approaching at a time when the Eugene area was suffering through precipitation.
“They were asking, ‘Will it snow?’” Johnson said. “My response: ‘I hope it does.’” The crowd laughed.
Inclement weather need not be a factor at NCAA outdoors, especially for the Oregon men and women. A home-field boost in team and individual performances is almost expected. Temporary seating will add fresh bodies and voices to what will almost certainly be another raucous Hayward crowd.
“When I compete at Hayward Field, it feels like I’m weightless,” junior heptathlete Brianne
Theisen told the crowd. “It’s like the fans are lifting you. When we’re on the runway, and the fans are clapping for us; it’s like they’re lifting us.”
Eugene has dressed itself in its four-day best for the event, Oregon’s first NCAA outdoors at Hayward since 2001 and the 10th in school history. The venue itself has received cosmetic touches — new paint, repairs and signage among the refurbishments — along with erections of temporary seating and a digital board at the north end. City streets are lined with banners announcing the championships, and a countdown clock at Fifth Street Market is about to be exhausted of purpose.
“Any time Eugene, Oregon, hosts a major championship event, it’s a big deal. They love everything about track,” Northern Iowa head track and field coach Dan Steele said.
Steele is Oregon’s former director of track and field operations; in his first year with the Northern Iowa Panthers, he will accompany two athletes to Eugene.
“The community’s extremely supportive. The athletic department, the track and field staff, they do an amazing job,” Steele said.
The community will gain inspiration from the fact that both the Duck men’s and women’s teams are considered in the hunt for the championship trophies on Saturday.
“Florida is very good. It’s going to be a good meet. It’ll be close with Texas A&M and
Florida,” Lananna said of the men’s race. “Florida State’s good. I think the men’s side, there is probably five six teams (that can compete for a title) — and the Ducks are (one of them).”
Projections have been kind to the Oregon women, considered by many the favorites to win their first NCAA outdoor track and field title since 1985.
“I guess that Texas A&M will be very good. As will LSU and us. Florida State as well,” he said.
With Hayward Field ready to shine, the Ducks hope they can put up the performances to match for the hometown fans. Lananna believes that, regardless of the teams on the podium at the end, the fans are in for a thrill ride.
“There will be something spectacular every day,” he said.
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Ducks anticipate Hayward’s huge home-field advantage
Daily Emerald
June 8, 2010
Ivar Vong
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