With the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships kicking off bright and early Thursday morning, here’s a quick look at a few past, present, and future Ducks to follow on opening day.
Men’s Competitors
The opening day will be relatively quiet in the Junior Nationals competition. Women’s discus trials and finals, along with men’s javelin trials and finals will be surrounded by the beginning of the decathlons and heptathlon competitions.
Be sure to look for Alec Fellows, a 2011 Oregon signee out of Edmonds, Wash. Fellows will compete in the 100 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400m on Thursday.
Of course, Ashton Eaton will make his second professional appearance at Hayward Field after his debut at the Prefontaine Classic a few weeks ago. He will participate in the decathlon, after he set the world indoor heptathlon record at last year’s NCAA Indoor track and field championships.
Other current and former Ducks expected to compete on Thursday include: Elijah Greer and Andrew Wheating in the 800m, Matthew Centrowitz, Jordan McNamara, and A.J. Acosta in the 1,500m, Mike Berry in the 400m, Luke Puskedra and Jason Hartmann in the 10,000m, and Stephen Findley in the 3,000m steeplechase.
In the field events, Brian Schaudt will compete as a professional qualifier in the triple jump, while Brian Richotte and Jordan Stray will compete in the hammer throw.
Women’s Competitors
Day one for the past, present and future Women of Oregon won’t be quite as full as the men’s side, but you should expect lots of action in the middle distance races and sprinting events.
Freshmen sensation English Gardner will compete in the 100m alongside teammate Mandy White. Former Duck Keshia Baker will look to advance in the opening round of the women’s 400m, as will Laura Roesler in the 800m.
Oregon star and 2011 NCAA Indoor Track Athlete of the Year Jordan Hasay will compete the women’s 1,500m semifinal to round out Oregon’s opening day on the track.
Alyssa Monteverde will compete in the heptathlon in the morning in the Junior Nationals division, while here twin sister and fellow Oregon signee, Anginae, will participate in the pole vault on Friday morning.
Note: The Daily Emerald will be posting recaps of the major highlights each evening, so stay tuned for more to come throughout the weekend. You can check us out on Twitter (@odesports) during they day for more up-to-date coverage.
