Saturday’s Oregon Twilight marked the end of an era.
For 27 years, Tom Heinonen has directed the Oregon women’s track and field program. Saturday’s meet was Heinonen’s last at Hayward Field.
“It just hasn’t sunk in at all,” Heinonen said. “I don’t think it’s really going to until I clear out my office and walk away. And that’s in June. We’ve got three big meets coming down the road … I’ll be back at Hayward Field on Monday.”
Heinonen’s last meet was also the last home meet for 14 Oregon seniors. Two of the seniors — Carrie Zografos and Eri Macdonald — qualified for the NCAA Regionals with personal bests in the 1,500 meters. Macdonald trailed Zografos for most of the race before a spurt in the last 100 meters put Macdonald (who finished in 4 minutes, 25.81 seconds) tenths of a second ahead of Zografos (4:26.09).
“I was just trying to stay in it,” Macdonald said. “I saw people within reach and tried to get them.”
Saturday’s scattered wind and rain affected many field events.
Senior Mary Etter, who took first in the shotput (48 feet, 2 1/2 inches), third in the hammer throw (165-08) and sixth in the discus (116-11), switched from the spin approach to the glide approach in the shot put because of the weather.
“I was surprised I hit 48-2 (in the shot),” Etter said. “(The discus) was horrible. There was no way to get any kind of a grip on the disk. I don’t think anyone really did well today. It was very disappointing for my last home meet.”
Seniors Heather Murtaugh and Janette Davis took first and second, respectively, in the 100 meters and the 200 meters, while senior Amanda Brown won the triple jump and long jump.
“I liked the way our people competed today,” Heinonen said. “The 1,500 was a great way to finish the meet. The fashion show (4×400 relay) was fun, the kids really wanted to do that.”
The Ducks’ “B” squad in the 4×400 relay honored Heinonen by each wearing a different Duck jersey from Heinonen’s 27 years.
“Tom’s totally creative,” former Duck heptathlete Jenny Kenyon said. “It’s a track environment that, not only can you improve as an athlete, but you can enjoy track. The reputation of Oregon track and it having crowds and really engaging the community, I think he’s really maintained that reputation.”
Heinonen won’t be fully retired after this season ends. He plans to coach the Oregon club distance running team starting next fall as well as spending time volunteering.

“I think it will be fun: no administration, no recruiting, no parents,” Heinonen said.
Beginning next fall, men’s head coach Martin Smith will take on the women’s squads as well as director of men’s and women’s track and field and cross country.
“You don’t replace Tom,” Smith said. “This program has been a labor of love for him; the women’s team, he’s been their only coach. They’re going to be difficult and impossible shoes not to fill but just to try to make sure you’re able to build on.”
While he was honored on Saturday, Heinonen isn’t done quite yet. Heptathletes compete on Saturday and Sunday in Los Angeles, while athletes still seeking Pacific-10 Conference or NCAA Regional qualifying marks have one last opportunity to achieve those marks. Heinonen’s last time to coach begins May 18 at the Pac-10 Championships.