Eniko Eros sought to try something new – moving to a new country and a new culture in the United States likely qualifies.
Eros, a quiet and reserved freshman, is making her impact on the Oregon women’s track and field team.
“First of all, I wanted to come to America to study language and so I have family in Portland and so I tried to find a university that is close to it and I also heard that the track team is really good here,” Eros said.
The 5-foot-10-inch Eros is a native of Budapest, Hungary. Budapest is Hungary’s capital, home to approximately 1.8 million people. Her grandmother’s sister and family lived in Portland. Eros wanted to try and find something nearby, so when she learned of Oregon’s respected track and field program, it was a perfect fit.
“She came out at the last minute,” Track and Field Director Vin Lananna said. “She was trying to figure out whether the University of Oregon or Harvard was the place for her.
“I think what she has brought to the program is she is an exciting, young woman. She does the high jump and the pole vault. She struggles sometimes, but does a good job most of the time.”
Eros arrived in Eugene and saw the University and historic Hayward Field for the first time since she decided to attend the school.
“Eugene has a nice track and the people are nice, too, so it is a good experience,” she said.
The distance away from home is lengthy for Eros, who says she’s never lived away from her family until now. She stays in touch through e-mails and has friends take photos of her competing so that she can e-mail them back home.
Eros, along with Nicole Blood, Zoe Buckman, Kate Gallagher and Keara Sammons, is one piece of a promising freshman class that has already made a large impact
Eros matched the regional qualifying standard in the Oregon Preview at 12 feet 5 1/2 inches and came in third, right behind teammate and senior Emily Enders.
In the Pepsi Invitational, Eros tied for sixth at 11-1.75 with teammate Tara Rhein, while Enders earned first place with a vault of 12-9.50. Eros also did the high jump that weekend and was sixth in that event as well with a jump of 5-3.75.
This weekend, Eros is expected to participate in the pole vault at the Oregon Invitational. The women’s pole vault competition is tentatively set for 2:45 p.m. Saturday.
Eros has enjoyed the transition to performing in front of the large crowds at Hayward Field.
“It’s really good because track team has a lot of fans and so a lot of people are watching us,” Eros said. “It’s good.”
Back home in Budapest Eros was one of the top-ranked pole vaulters. She consistently led her age group from 2001-2006 in the pole vault junior championships. She also led the high jump in 2006.
[email protected]