Jeshua Anderson hopes his next trip to Hayward Field is better than his last.
The Washington State hurdler found himself at the 2008 U.S. Track & Field Trials, lined up against Kerron Clement and Angelo Taylor, two 400m hurdles stalwarts who would eventually make the U.S. Olympic team headed for Beijing.
“It was like, dang, I’m running with these guys, but I gotta run my own race,” Anderson said. “Having to run through rounds was pretty tough.”
Anderson finished fifth in the heat in 48.92 seconds, counting him out of the final.
“I just tried to go in there and do my best. I wanted to make the final and I fell short,” Anderson said. “That’s something that happens. I was a little disappointed in my performance, but it was a great year for me. I give glory and praise to God for that whole year.”
Anderson is the reigning NCAA champion, USA Junior Outdoor champion and World Junior Outdoor champion in the 400m hurdles. The top seed in that event during the Pac-10s, Anderson is a heavy favorite to win and keep winning; he’s looking to make the World Outdoor championships in his first year of eligibility, since he’ll turn 20 this June.
Washington State assistant coach Mark Macdonald, himself a former Washington State hurdler, recruited Anderson out of Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Calif. Anderson was a two-way standout in football and track who had instantly recognizable talent.
“The first time I saw him, I was at the California State meet (Anderson’s junior year),” Macdonald said. “I saw how good he looked and I thought, ‘Man, this guy’s incredible.’ Our football coach came down and asked, ‘Hey, I’m recruiting this Jeshua Anderson. You know who he is?’”
Anderson was adamant about playing football and running track in college, and he accepted a football scholarship to Washington State to do both over a football scholarship to Nevada, which does not have a track program. Oregon made a late push from the track office, but Anderson was set on the Cougars.
“The track coach called me and asked me if I wanted to be an Oregon Duck. I wanted to, I liked it, but I just told him that I wanted to play football as well,” Anderson recalled. “Two of my friends go to Oregon now and tried to push me. Bellotti told me he had a football scholarship for me, but I went to Washington State first. They were the school that allowed me to do that. I prayed on it. Being here is a blessing. I’m just happy to be here.”
“I can’t believe more football teams didn’t recruit that hard,” Macdonald said, noting the size (6-foot-2) and speed of Anderson.
“Jeshua’s a very, very talented athlete and he’s done some terrific things. The fact that he does football and track … he’s just a terrific athlete, and I’ve enjoyed watching him compete,” Oregon assistant director of track and field Dan Steele said. Steele would not comment on Oregon’s attempts to recruit Anderson.
Anderson played in 12 games for the Cougars as a wide receiver last year, catching 33 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Coming off football and into track, his track conditioning was fairly minimal.
“It’s different, especially for someone as good as he is in track, that he doesn’t do one single thing until after January,” Macdonald said. “He has a body that he can change weight really quick. A lot of how he is genetically is helping him be a dual-sport athlete.”
Anderson peaked late in the year, running a personal-best 48.68 in winning the IAAF
Junior World Championships. This year, he has dedicated himself to improving his conditioning and making a more effective transition from football shape to track shape.
“Last year, coming into track season, during winter break I didn’t do so much training. I was just tired and struggling through the workouts,” Anderson said. “This year, I just kinda pushed myself and forced myself to keep working. Coming back to California. I’ve been running mountains and hills. I’ve been feeling stronger and faster than I was last year.”
The Pac-10s will be his biggest race of the year thus far, and his first real test. With Anderson and his talent, there’s no need to worry.
“It’ll be the biggest challenge so far,” Macdonald said. His PR is a lot better than all the guys in the field. He’s nervous. He likes to race and he’s not taking anyone for granted. I think he’s ready to do well.”
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