I was a freshman when I first walked through the green gates of Hayward Field. I stared around in awe at the track, which some of the world’s finest athletes have run on, and I imagined what it would be like to be coming around on the bell lap with a full crowd cheering me on.
The feeling was akin to the one I had when I walked through the gates at Autzen Stadium or into McArthur Court. When at Autzen, I thought of Joey Harrington. At Mac Court, I thought of Freddie Jones and Luke Ridnour.
At Hayward, I thought of Steve Prefontaine. How couldn’t I? Freshman orientation preps you with names such as “Track Town USA” and Pre’s Trail. The University instills in you that Oregon has a rich history of track and field, and after four years in Eugene, I can tell you it’s true.
I’m a baseball guy, but I ran cross country in high school, so I appreciate how much athleticism, grace and ability track athletes possess. You will not find any better athletes.
There’s a reason they call decathletes the best athletes in the world. There’s no strange throwing motions or balls to hit. It’s the most basic things humans have been doing for thousands of years: running, jumping and throwing.
Watching these events is even more special at Hayward. I can’t explain it, but the magic of a group of athletes rounding Bowerman Curve or an athlete making a record jump is breathtaking. I was in the stands in 2008 when Tyson Gay ran a wind-aided 9.77 in the 100m at the Olympic Trials, and I can honestly say that it was one of the most incredible sporting events I’ve ever been at.
The last four years in Oregon track and field have been arguably the most successful in the history of the program. There have been team championships in cross country, men and women’s indoor track, and a plethora of NCAA championships in individual events for the likes of Andrew Wheating (USA Olympian), Galen Rupp (USA Olympian) and world-record-holder Ashton Eaton. It’s been an exciting time to watch as the women’s track program has been revamped and brought to prominence by senior Nicole Blood and company.
That’s why I expect this week to be Oregon’s crowning achievement. The only thing that has evaded Oregon in the last four years has been an outdoor track and field championship.
The men and women came close last year. Both teams placed second, behind yeomen individual efforts by javelin thrower Rachel Yurkovich, Rupp, Wheating, heptathlete Brianne Theisen, and Eaton. The men losing to Texas A&M was an upset. The women placing second was the best finish since 1985 when they won it all.
And this year, the Ducks have been back with a vengeance. This outdoor season, the men won every team event, and the women have matched them. Even more impressive, the women won the Pac-10 Championships with a Pac-10 record of 215 points — 106 points more than second-place Arizona.
In Oregon’s one meeting with No. 1 Texas A&M (men’s and women’s), the Ducks swept, which is a telling sign for this championship. The track and field program is determined, and there is no more fitting place for Oregon to capture dual titles than Eugene. I’ve seen Wheating dive across the line to win races, Blood outkick contestants down the stretch and Eaton blow away anyone and everyone. It would only be fitting that these seniors go out on top as a team.
Eugene is Track Town USA for a reason, and Hayward Field is the best place to watch a track meet. So, welcome to those of you who have traveled from out of town to cheer on your team, and hello again to you Duck fans who are reacquainting yourselves with the friendly confines. It should be an action-packed four days, and no matter who wins at the end of it all, I can promise there will be enough electric, memorable moments that you will never forget it.

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