Sarah Malone, Oregon’s school record-holder in the javelin, will redshirt the 2003 outdoor track and field season.
Malone, a junior who was an All-American in her freshman season, has a herniated disc in her back that, while it may or may not be in remission, will keep her out of her workout routine and therefore out for the season.
“I just don’t think I can compete at the level I want to compete at for the season,” Malone said Monday.
The Newberg native said she has been in constant contact with doctors recently. She said that while a doctor told her the disc may be in remission, she is still in pain and can’t throw regularly. She also said the doctors advised her to sit out the season.
“It’s extremely painful, and my workouts need to be altered because of it,” she said.
Malone holds the school record in the javelin at 179 feet, 2 inches and made the NCAA Championships in both her freshman and sophomore seasons. She finished seventh and 14th in those two national championships, and second in both Pacific-10 Conference Championships she has competed in.
The junior will miss head coach Tom Heinonen’s final season, and she said the move to redshirt was in no way affected by the recent announcement that both the men’s and women’s track teams will merge next year under the direction of men’s head coach Martin Smith.
“I’m sure (the coaches) aren’t happy,” Malone said. “I know coach (Heinonen) wanted to go out with a bang. But it wasn’t anything I had control over.”
Malone leaves a talented javelin squad that will still miss their leader. The squad includes two returning All-Americans in sophomores Elisa Crumley and Roslyn Lundeen.
“They’re totally supportive of me,” Malone said of her javelin-throwing counterparts. “They see me in pain all the time. I have the full support of all my teammates.”
The Ducks don’t kick off the outdoor season until March 22. That first meet will be the Oregon Preview at Hayward Field.
That still leaves some time for Malone to change her mind if she feels strong enough to compete. But the thrower said she has been knocked so far off her training schedule that she doesn’t anticipate returning to action this year.
“I’m definitely redshirting,” Malone said.