– Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt has a storied history of building teams from nothing. Now, the 60-year-old will strive to lift Oregon’s defense from the ashes – all while chugging cans of Pepsi as early as 6 a.m.
– After Edward Cheserek withdrew from the Bryan Clay Invitational, there were rumors that it was a repeat of last year, when he was worn out from a long season. Robert Johnson squashed that claim on Tuesday, saying that the senior has done all he can for the school and will attend to his wishes. Cheserek is entered in the 5,000 meters at the Payton Jordan Invitational where he will face off against the 1,500 meter Rio Olympics champion Matthew Centrowitz, a former Duck.
– Oregon track and field will travel once more to the Penn Relays and the Oregon State High Performance meet this weekend before the lights turn on at Hayward Field the following weekend for the Oregon Twilight.
– Oregon head coach Willie Taggart is focused on building a relationship with the seniors in an attempt to build leadership after realizing he failed to do so at USF.
– With four scholarships freed up by the departure of Jordan Bell, Casey Benson, Dillon Brooks and Tyler Dorsey, Dana Altman has offered one to five-star recruit Bol Bol, son of NBA star Manute Bol. The 6-foot-11, 190-pounder averaged 16.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and almost three blocks per game last season. Arizona, USC, and Kansas have also offered him scholarships.
– Although Oregon softball lost three consecutive Pac-12 series, the Ducks are still within the top 10 of the NCAA and hope to get back in the swing of things when they face Oregon State this weekend.
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