Early in Robert Johnson’s coaching career, Oregon track and field had a star sprinter named Keshia Baker. Baker dominated meets running the 400 and 4×400 relay. Johnson coached her to three consecutive conference titles and six school records. Baker was one of those big time athletes who are hard to replace, so when she left after the 2009-10 season, there was a question as to who would pick up the scoring slack.
“Low and behold we found a way to continue to get it done,” Johnson said.
This season, the Ducks face a similar problem: star sprinter/jumper Jenna Prandini decided to begin her professional career early, forgoing her senior season.
“I would be crazy to think you can replace the leadership and intangible qualities Jenna Prandini brought to the Duck program over the last few years,” Johnson said. “She was invaluable in not only the stuff you see on the track, but also off the track.”
In Prandini’s final season, she was the most prolific NCAA Championship point scorer in history, collecting 49 points between the indoor and outdoor Championships. She claimed the second-fastest time in collegiate history in the 100 (10.92 seconds) and the fourth-fastest time in the 200 (22.21 seconds). Prandini also provided invaluable leadership for her teammates, keeping a strong work ethic in training and competitions.
The most obvious candidate to step up is redshirt junior Jasmine Todd — who has filled in for her former teammate in the past. At last year’s Pac-12 Championships Todd had to step up when Prandini was unable to compete due to an illness. She took part in five events — the long jump, triple jump, 100, 200 and 4×100 — helping the Ducks claim two individual titles, two second place finishes and 35 team points.
For her efforts, she earned recognition as the Pac-12 women’s field athlete of the year.
“You got a glimpse of it at the Pac-12 meet last year when we asked her to go above and beyond and do what she is capable of,” Johnson said of Todd. “You will see more of those types of things this year.”
Todd is a charismatic athlete who isn’t afraid to take on the challenge of leading the program, and she has the speed and talent to match.
But the way to replace Prandini’s production isn’t by putting it all on a single athlete, but rather by spreading the load amongst the team. With another year of maturity and training under their belts, several Ducks should be able to help shoulder the load and ensure the women are as competitive as ever.
“Jenna was a great addition to our team, but at the same time we brought in a lot of talent and have a lot of talent,” Todd said.
The Ducks are as deep as they have ever been – Molly Grabill and Waverly Neer (distance), Raevyn Rogers and Annie Leblanc (middle distance) and Brittany Mann (throws) – so while losing Prandini is tough, it’s nothing new.
“We will do it how we have always done it in the past,” Johnson said. “We will have a cast of characters who step up their game and have more seasoning.”
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur