PORTLAND — The USA Track & Field Indoor Championships got started Friday in Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, with several former Ducks posting strong performances.
The meet serves as a chance for the top U.S. athletes without an automatic qualifier to punch their tickets to the World Indoor Championships, which will be held in the same location on March 17-20. To make it one has to finish in the top two and meet the qualifying standard in his or her respective event.
The bizarre moment of the meet happened in the first heat of the women’s 800 preliminaries. In a race that featured former Oregon runner Laura Roesler, the officials had issues with the starting gun. The microphone was picking up feedback, so the athletes couldn’t tell when to go.
This led to three resets on the start, which frustrated both the runners and fans.
“Obviously we aren’t stupid, we know what a gun sounds like,” Roesler said. “We were hearing an echo.”
When the race finally began Roesler was able to settle into the middle of the pack, taking her time before jumping into the lead at the bell.
“I never underestimate anyone in a race, and I knew I had a really good heat,” Roesler said.
She was able to overcome the adversity and some pushing down the final straightaway to finish first, automatically moving on to the finals in 2:03.77 — the fastest time in prelims.
Ryan Hill was able to win the men’s 3,000 in 7:38.60. Eric Jenkins led the way for former Ducks, taking third in 7:41.19. Galen Rupp struggled in the race after coming off the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, placing eighth.
The “World’s Greatest Athlete” and decathlon world record holder Ashton Eaton finished sixth in the men’s long jump (24-11.25). Marquis Dendy won the event with a jump of 27-7.25, which is the longest mark in the world this year.
Eaton also competed in the men’s 60 meters prelims alongside fellow Duck alum Arthur Delaney. Eaton was slow out of the blocks, settling for 8th (6.80), while Delaney finished 6th (6.71). Delaney’s mark was good enough to qualify through to the semifinals.
Running in the first heat of the women’s 60 meters, Jenna Prandini was able to qualify through to the semifinals. She finished second at the line in her heat, and fourth overall with a time of 7.24.
“I was just playing it safe to make sure I made it through to tomorrow,” Prandini said.
The initial start was called back, although no false start was given.
“You just want to forget everything that’s happened,” Prandini said of having to begin again. “Reset and focus on that next start.”
Phyllis Francis was able to cruise to an easy victory in her heat of the women’s 400 prelims with a time of 52.53. Francis has the third best time going into the finals.
“It was cool. I did what I needed to do to qualify,” Francis said.
She received a warm reception from the crowd, many members of whom she recognized.
“I see a lot of them at Hayward always supporting me, showering me with love,” Francis said.
Mike Berry battled in his heat of the men’s 400, taking the lead at the halfway mark. Berry faded down the stretch, falling to a third place finish in 47.22. He just missed out on advancing to the finals.
Click here for a complete list of results.
The USATF Indoor Championships will conclude Saturday with the women’s 60-meter hurdles semifinals kicking things off at 2:30 p.m.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur