The Oregon men’s and women’s cross country teams were welcomed back from a successful endeavor at the NCAA Championship with a public ceremony at Hayward Field on Tuesday.
The Duck men won their second consecutive national championship, a feat last accomplished in 1973-74. Senior Galen Rupp won the 10-kilometer race. The Duck women recorded their second consecutive runner-up finish at the NCAAs, bested in the six-kilometer race only by Washington.
Oregon received a rousing reception upon revealing the men’s champion and women’s runner-up trophies.
“I think that the cross country and track and field community in Eugene is special,” head coach Vin Lananna said. “It was exciting to see (everyone) come out today.”
“It’s really exciting to come back and have everyone just be excited about what happened,” said Alex Kosinski, who was the top finisher among Oregon women (eighth place).
Each member of the men’s and women’s teams, including Rupp, was on hand to sign autographs and pose for numerous pictures.
“We wanted to bring (the championship) back here,” Rupp said.
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