A pair of bright green Oregon jerseys flashed around the Bowerman curve as the 9,627 fans packed into the stands at Hayward Field roared. The owners of the jerseys were sophomore Edward Cheserek and senior Eric Jenkins, both competing in the 10,000-meter finals at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
The obvious fan favorites, both had enjoyed the adoration of the crowd throughout the race. Standing ovations and rhythmic clapping has become the standard anytime the duo comes around the Bowerman Curve, enhanced by the tune of a brass orchestra in the stands.
“Was there, I was tuning them out,” Jenkins said when asked whether he noticed the orchestra. “They need to pump it up a little louder. I was breathing too hard.”
It all came down to the final lap, when the pair finally separated from the field and turned the race into a two-man show.
Watching the two actually compete against one another has become a rare sight, as they have made a habit of crossing the finish line stride-for-stride of late. The last time they tried to beat each other was back in the Indoor Championships, when Jenkins was able to outkick Cheserek for the win in the 3,000. He also won the 5,000 at indoors.
Cheserek came into the event as the defending champion, having defeated Shadrack Kipchirchir last year as a freshman. This is Jenkins first 10k final.
Joining the talented Oregon duo in the field were BYU’s Jason Witt, who holds the fastest time in 2015 (27:54) for the field, and Syracuse’s Martin Hehir, who has a strong kick and finished second at the Stanford Invitational.
Finally with 13 laps to go Texas senior Craig Lutz jumped into the lead, trying to push the pace.
“I was waiting for someone to come push it,” Cheserek said.
Lutz, Cheserek and Witt all took off, gapping the main pack and Jenkins.
“It seemed like 13 laps to go it got really slow, then all of a sudden it really picked up so there became a gap I had to close,” Jenkins said. “I wasn’t too worried about getting run away from.”
He was able to join the front leaders, slowly dropping the rest of the field. With three laps to go Jenkins made a move to take the lead and Cheserek went with them.
At the bell they dropped Witt, flying down the backstretch toward the finish. Cheserek made a move at the Bowerman curve, taking the lead for the first time in the race with 100 meters to go. He was able to hold on for the win.
“I tried to score high points for the team,” Cheserek said.
Cheserek won (28:58.92), Jenkins took second (28:59.13) and Witt finished third (29:04.58). For Cheserek, the victory makes him the repeat champion for the 10k.
After the race the two teammates didn’t embrace, both jogging off the track alone.
“Of course there is a little bit of a rivalry, I know my biggest competition is this guy right here,” Jenkins said. “At the end of the day we are teammates, so if I’m going to lose to one person I guess I’m all right with it being this guy.”
While Jenkins hates to lose, he doesn’t really see this event as a loss. Together the two Ducks were able to score a crucial 18 points towards the team competition, bettering there chances of repeating as National Champions.
The two will have a chance to go at it again in the 5000 finals on Friday, and both say they were able to save something for the rematch.
“I’m just going to get ready,” Cheserek said.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur

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Ryan Kang

Historic Hayward Field hosts the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Eugene, Ore., June 10-13 2015. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)