Using the results of the Friday’s Oregon Twilight to guide him, head track and field coach Robert Johnson must now assemble a roster for the Pac-12 Championships.
“This was their last opportunity to put their best foot forward,” Johnson said.  
At the Twilight, many of his athletes brought their best, including Matthew Maton who won the men’s 1,500 meters in his first race in an Oregon jersey, the men’s 4×100 meter relay team that broke the meet record, and Oregon commit Katie Rainsberger who etched her name into the high school record books.
“You can only imagine the intensity in these meetings coming up as far as figuring out the 28 men and 28 women to go to Seattle,” Johnson said.
At their final regular-season meet and senior night this Friday, the Ducks welcomed competitors from across the board, including high schoolers, professionals and other collegiate athletes. Gold medal decathlete and former Duck Ashton Eaton even made a showing Friday, taking second in the 400 meters. Eaton broke the meet record at 45.78 seconds.
Besides the cameo, another highlight of the day was the men’s 4×100 team: Christian Sourapas, Devon Allen,Travonn White and Marcus Chambers set a meet record at 39.61.
“[It is] definitely a time that we’ve been chasing all year long,” Johnson said.  
On the distance side of the day, Edward Cheserek competed in his second meet of the season, but faltered at the last 50 meters for a second place finish. Sam Atkin of Lewis and Clark took the 3,000 meter win, 7:56.70.
“Of course, everybody always wants Ed to win,” Johnson said. “But I think it’s a good foot forward.”
Freshman Maton ran 3:42.68 for a first place finish in the men’s 1,500, followed by teammate Chris Brewer in second.
“I often say to our group… a little Floyd Mayweather ‘men lie, women lie, numbers don’t,’ Johnson said. “This was a great opportunity for us to come out here and put some numbers down.”
To make his mark and a fitting senior-night finish, Matt Hidalgo won the men’s pole vault 16-11 ½ .
In the final race of the night, high school senior and soon-to-be Duck Rainsberger took on elites in the 1,500 meters, where she finished in a close second during the last stretch. She ran 4:14.20 for the fifth fastest time by a high schooler.
“That was definitely really crazy,” Rainsberger said. “The battle back and forth just makes you stronger.”
Johnson, pleased with one of his newest recruits, expressed his excitement to have her next year.
“For her to be signed, sealed and delivered, we can’t wait until she gets here,” Johnson said. “[She has] great competitive nature.”
Follow Madison Layton on Twitter @MadisonLayton01