He no longer sports the attention-grabbing mane shown in the Oregon track and field guide. Thrower Matt Maloney calmly answered a reporter’s questions, looking out of place as the center of attention.
His sister and fellow Oregon thrower Megan gazed at the track, talking smoothly and matter-of-factly about a whirlwind two-year transformation into an elite hammer thrower.
During the two years prior to the twins’ arrival in Eugene this fall, colleges nationwide fawned over the Rhode Island natives, but a visit to Hayward Field two years ago sealed their commitment.
Now, the Maloneys say, they want to prove they belong.
Their credentials list Matt as the No. 1-ranked prep javelin thrower and owner of state championships in javelin and shot put in 2005; Megan’s resume is close. She was ranked as the No. 3 prep hammer thrower in the nation and state champion in the hammer in 2005.
“I haven’t really thought of the success I’ve had yet because it’s not really where I want to finish,” Megan said.
Both spent a week at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., prior to their senior year of high school. College coaches started taking notice, both there and in performances at elite competitions.
One long-time coach, who helped at the center, hinted to multi-sport Megan about her potential.
“He talked to me and told me I can go far with this,” she said.
The Maloneys other brother, James, is a thrower at Ole Miss. He helped foster the pair’s interest in track and field, and they began attracting attention after they started as sophomores.
Florida, Virginia, Stanford – almost 100 colleges in total – expressed interest. The same went for Matt, who also attracted football recruiters from Ivy League schools. He didn’t like the recruiter’s demeanors, deciding to focus on track and came to Oregon.
“I didn’t really like it, so it was kind of easy for me after those visits,” Matt said.
In track, there are personal bests and school records to break, but his approach remains team oriented. He deflects talk of Olympics with the trials coming to Eugene in 2008.
“My goal here is contribute some major points in the Pac-10 (Championships),” Matt said.
Matt’s approach has changed since high school, from competing every weekend, to peaking at the right time, he said.
Megan is part of a trio of throwers including Britney Henry (current school record holder in the hammer) and Brittany Hinchcliffe.
“Megan gets a good look every day at a couple of really great, national class athletes,” throws coach Lance Deal said.
Deal, the deciding factor in the Maloneys choice, worked on the little details with Megan.
“She is such a willing learner,”he said.
The Maloney’s are part of an Oregon contingent going this Friday to compete at the Western Oregon Twilight Meet in Monmouth.
Dana Buchanan is entered in the 3,000 meter steeplechase – her first since setting the school record while winning at the Pepsi Invitational. Sarah Pearson is set for the 1,500, following her debut in the 10,000 last weekend. Hinchcliffe, Lucy Cridland, Roslyn Lundeen and Megan represent Oregon throwers this weekend.
Megan is the lone entered hammer thrower and Matt is one of three hammer throwers on the men’s side.
At the Oregon Invitational, Matt showed his potential, unleashing a regional qualifying javelin throw of 224-11 feet. The mark is seventh best all-time at Oregon.
“Matt rised to the Pac-10 level that he wants to be at and what a great time to start doing it,” Deal said.
Megan quietly placed seventh in the hammer last weekend, behind third place Hinchcliffe and winner Henry, with a throw of 170-3, 3 feet 11 inches shy of her personal best of 174-2 set in the Pepsi Invitational. Megan is within four feet of the regional qualifying standard of 177-7.
In practices and meets, Megan witnesses national throwers in Henry and Hinchcliffe, and says watching them is motivation enough to improve.
“I’m always really happy when they throw far ’cause I know that hopefully I can someday be at their level too,” Megan said.

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