When Michelle Donovan crossed the finish line of the 400-meters at the Long Beach Invitational this past Saturday, she felt disappointed.
However, it is not the disappointment one would expect. Donovan, a junior from West Linn, finished the race in a time of 57.68 seconds — good enough for first in her heat and seventh overall in the event. The mark was also less than one second off her personal record of 56.80, set two weeks ago at the Pepsi Team Invitational.
So why did she feel a letdown in her performance?
“This past weekend was kind of a shot in the dark just because it was raining and gross when we were at Long Beach,” Donvovan said. “Our travel day right before was also kind of hectic.
“At Pepsi, I ran in the 56’s and that’s where I PRed last year. It was such a great day weather-wise and 3,000-plus people and I had competition.”
Donovan is one example of the increased expectations and change toward a positive attitude surrounding the rebuilding Oregon women’s program. The Ducks now look forward to the Oregon Invitational at Hayward Field beginning with the women’s heptathlon Thursday.
The 20-year-old Donovan, who will have another chance at the 400-meters this weekend, said the coaches have been a big help through
motivating the athletes to perform to their best.
“I love my individual coach (Rock Light),” Donovan said. “He is so uplifting. He tells us exactly what we need to do and he knows when we’re ready and we know when we’re ready. He has faith in us and he’s bringing this program back into it.”

Coaches get thumbs up
Ask many of the Oregon women track and field athletes about their assessment of the new coaching staff led by head coach Martin Smith midway through the season.
“It’s a complete 180 (from last year),” javelin thrower Sarah Malone said. “I finally feel I’m a part of the Oregon track and field program that I imagined and that I knew when I was a kid growing up.
“I feel more a part of a family than I ever have. Our coaches are incredible.”
Malone, a redshirt junior from Newberg, holds the Oregon javelin record at 179 feet, 7 inches, which she set at one of track’s biggest stages this year, the Texas Relays. In that event, Malone also defeated the current American javelin record holder, Kim Kreiner.
“In the past, we trained until failure,” Malone said. “Obviously, that’s wrong and that’s been something that’s been a total turnaround.”
Her individual coach, Lance Deal, said he has enjoyed his experience as the first-year throwers’ coach and hopes to return the women’s program back to prominence.
“Coach Smith’s philosophy is let’s be the best team we can be,” Deal said. “Let’s get ourselves back (into the elite of) the Pac-10.”

Helping out
Malone’s success is rubbing off on her fellow javelin teammates.
One of the beneficiaries is redshirt junior Rachael Kriz, who is adjusting to competing in multiple events that also includes the high jump.
Kriz praised Malone for the latter’s guidance this season.
“Sarah is amazing and incredible,” Kriz said. “I don’t know what else you can say about her other than she’s just a marvel to watch. She is always at practice and always letting us know what we can improve on and it all ends up in being a very good practice environment.”