Going into the weekend, Oregon track and field had aspirations of sweeping the Pac-12 Championships at Drake Stadium on the UCLA campus. By the end of the first day dominated by field events, the Duck women had to overcome an unexpected hurdle.
The women’s long jump looked to be an opportunity to pick up big points in the team competition. Entered for the Ducks were the two favorites, junior Jenna Prandini and sophomore Jasmine Todd, as well as heptathlete Ashlee Moore.
However, Prandini was a no-show for the event due to an illness, and in accordance to NCAA rules meant she had to withdraw from the rest of the weekend. She was also favored in the 100, 200 and was going to be a big contributor in the women’s 4×100 relay.
“We are a balanced program,” Oregon head coach Robert Johnson said when asked how they would recover without Prandini. “We’ve got a lot of kids that perform and do well.”
The other two Ducks were able to score points, with Todd finishing second (20-08.50) and Moore taking fourth (20-05.75). But without Prandini the Oregon women lost a huge boost in the team competition, which suddenly looks much tougher for the Ducks to win.
By the end of the first day Oregon had the lead (78 points), Stanford was in second (40) and UCLA was in third (39). USC, who has the best chance to catch the Ducks tomorrow, was in fifth with 22.
While there was no official team meeting about Prandini being unable to compete, news spread amongst the Ducks.
“Like we say ‘Ducks Fly Together’ — one is down; others seem to step up,” Oregon junior Annie Leblanc said. “We let our coaches worry about the points, we just focus on what we can do, what we can control.”
Redshirt sophomore Brittany Mann won the women’s shot put (56-06.75), junior Liz Brenner took third in the women’s javelin (157-09) and seniors Lauren Crockett and Chancey Summers placed second and third in the high jump (tied at 5-11.50).
“Chancey, for some reason she just shows up at this meet,” Johnson said. “She struggles all year and the Pac-12 meet she comes alive.”
A pair of Oregon sophomores scored in the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase. Frida Berge placed second (10:09.94) while teammate Alli Cash recovered from a fall to take fifth (10:25.94).
The Oregon women still have a chance to claim the title even without Prandini, though things will have to go without a hitch tomorrow if they want to be able to overcome the impending influx of Trojan sprinting points.
Things looked less complicated on the men’s side, with the Ducks holding first (53 points). UCLA is second (50) and Colorado is third (39).
Going into his final throw in the men’s javelin Oregon’s Sam Crouser found himself in second place, trailing UCLA senior Derek Eager — who had 233-09 as his best throw. For the attempt Crouser lined up as far away as possible from the line, giving himself plenty of room for a run up.
“I felt like I was throwing too nonchalant, almost a warm-up throw for all of them,” Crouser said. “When he passed me it was like an adrenaline shot.”
Crouser launched the javelin, sending it soaring as the predominately Bruin crowd gasped. The measurement came in, 252-10, as Crouser celebrated his win by flexing his muscles. This is now the fourth-straight conference title for Crouser in the javelin. Freshman teammate Jhet Janis took fourth.
Oregon’s Greg Skipper took second in the men’s hammer 225-02, though it was a short series of throws for the junior. His best came on his first attempt, and after a second throw for a potential tiebreaker he decided to pass on his final four.
“I can throw any day of the week,” Skipper said. “I just wanted to get ready for Nationals and be prepared for that.”
USC senior and the favorite headed into the meet Conor McCullough took first after launching it 236-10 on his fourth throw. After the first round of throws just a single foot separated the two leaders, but Skipper sat as McCullough continued to compete. This is the third-straight year Skipper has finished the runner up.
For Skipper this was the first time in his career in the hammer that he was able to compete on the infield — usually being relegated off to the side or on a different campus.
In the long jump it was a battle between a pair of freshman, Adoree Jackson of USC and Nate Moore of Oregon. In the end the two tied for first with a jump of 25-03.50. Jackson was given the win because his second best jump was better.
Click here for an entire list of results.
The Pac-12 Championships will conclude Sunday, with the women’s hammer slotted as the opening event at 9 a.m.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur