2012 olympic trials preview

OLYMPICThe Oregon Daily Emerald

dash paulsonnews reporter

It started out as a track in the mud. A place built by students who wanted to run. They called it Kincaid Field in 1895. In 1919, it became Hayward Field, named after a University coach of track and field who can only be called legendary. In the last 93 years, Hayward has witnessed performances by the greatest runners, the finest coaches and the continued obliteration of track and field records.

In 1904, the fledgling Oregon Track and Field team was soundly defeated by Albany College — now Lewis and Clark. Oregon shrewdly offered the Albany coach a position as their first permanent track coach and William “Colonel Bill” Hayward accepted.

For the next 44 years, Hayward turned the Oregon program into a regional champion and gained national prominence.

Hayward coached four track world record holders, six American record holders and nine Olympians.

His enormous contribution to Oregon track was recognized when Kincaid was replaced with the new track in 1919 and named Hayward Field in his honor.

Construction wrapped up just in time to start hosting

track meets after a two-year hiatus on collegiate sports due to World War I. The field was originally intended for the University football program, but Oregon’s success in track and field events led to further non-football improvements including a six-lane cinder track in 1921.

After Hayward retired in the fall of 1947, his former protege Bill Bowerman became head coach and outdid his mentor in many regards. During his 24 years at Oregon, the Ducks’ track and field team was a winning season every year except for one, took home four NCAA titles and finished top ten in the nation 16 times.

By 1960s, the football program had outgrown Hayward and was moved to Autzen Stadium. In 1967, Hayward became strictly a track and field facility.

The cinder track lasted until 1970 when it was replaced with an all-weather surface. In 1972, the field played host to the U.S. Olympic Trials for the first time and continued to host the event in 1976 and 1980.

In the 2000s, the University made several expansive upgrades to Hayward. In 2007, a permanent lighting system was installed that made Hayward a venue for long distance running competitions. The lighting systems also made Hayward an attractive option again for the Olympic trials and the field played host for the fourth time in 2008.

Some of the greatest long distance runners in history found their start at the University of Oregon. Names like Kenny Moore, Alberto Salazar, Bill Dellinger, Steve Pre-fontaine, Leann Warren, Kathy Hayes and most recently, Galen Rupp have made an indelible mark on the field.

Hayward is one of the only four class-1 internationally certified tracks in the U.S., so in addition to hosting all Duck track and field events and the trials for the fifth time this year, Hayward has hosted some of the most prestigious competitions in the world.

Past meets have included the the 1960 U.S. Olympic Decathlon Trials, seven USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, 10 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the 1980 National Women’s AIAW Championships.

Normally, Hayward has room for more than 10,000, but this year, the field will have increased to seat a crowd of approximately 21,000.

From humble beginnings, Hayward Field has become America’s proving ground for track athletes. Some of the fastest men and women in the world, the greatest athletes in history and a legion of Olympians were first recognized [email protected]

oreGon aTHleTes To WaTcH pre’s sTory eVenT map DAILY EMERALD TRIALS APPAshton Eaton and other Oregon Track Club

Elite members will look to stand out in a field chock full of interesting storylines.

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Surely, you’ve heard of the mustached Oregon long-distance legend, but here’s just a bit more about what made him a star.

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Find places to eat (and drink) while you’re at Hayward, as well as Shuttle drop sites, so you don’t miss a second of the action.

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Download the Olympic Trials mobile app for free at trials.dailyemerald.com

emerald archivesAshton Eaton, a prolific athlete during his time at the University, is gearing up for the Decathlon in the 2012 Olympic Trials. Eaton won three consecutive NCAA Decathlon titles while at Oregon, taking the third title in his last year, with a personal-best 8,457 points. That year, he took The Bowerman award (named after prominent Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman) as the best student-athlete in collegiate track and field.

HAYWARD SPOTLIGHT

93 YEARS OF ExCELLEnCENamed after Oregon’s first track coach, Hayward Field has seen the best the world has to offer

T R I A L S P R E V I E W

June 19, 2012

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EMERALD ARCHIVESSteve Prefontaine took four straight national titles in the 5,000 meters and set the American record in 1972; falling just short of bronze in 1972’s summer Olympics in Munich. “Pre” died in 1975 before being able to avenge the fourth-place finish.

Pre: The story behind the legend

robbie parnessspecial sections reporter

In a city known as “Tracktown USA,” there are many track & field icons who have taken to historic Hayward Field. From Nike co-founder and renowned Oregon track coach Bill Bower-man to current star and University alum Ashton Eaton, many have etched their names into the record books.

But when it comes to the true legend of Track Town, there is only one who is truly consid-ered legendary. A legend so strong he needs no name to be identified; merely three letters that resonate the definition of determination, pas-sion and glory on the track. A legend that only had 24 short years to live, but his story will survive generations.

Only three letters: Pre.

Steve Prefontaine is Oregon track. It is difficult to go anywhere in Eugene to find someone who does not know who he was. Everyone knows his story.

Born in 1951 in Coos Bay, a small town on the coast of Oregon, Prefontaine began running cross country and track in high school and quickly found a love for running. In his junior and senior years, he dominated local and national com-petition. He earned a scholarship to run for the University and for Coach Bill Bowerman, both dreams of Pre’s.

Once donning the green and yellow of the Ducks, Pre did not miss a step; he was a champi-on in every sense of the word at Oregon. He won the NCAA Men’s Cross Country Championship in three of his four years as a Duck. The only time he did not take home the trophy was because he did not even compete, choosing instead to train

for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.

Prefontaine may have been dominant on the trails of cross country, but at Hayward Field he was nearly unstoppable. He won four consecu-tive national championships in the 5,000 me-ters. Each time he rounded Bowerman’s curve, he would hear chants of “Pre! Pre! Pre!” rain down from the stands as he took off on the front straightaway.

What made Prefontaine the runner and the legend that he is was not the fact that he won, but rather how he won. Or maybe more appropriately, how he would not lose.

On the track, Pre was tenacious. He pushed himself to the limit each and every race and ev-eryone, from his fans to his competitors, knew that about him. He never wanted to lose, and he never, ever wanted to relinquish a lead. In one of his most famous quotes, Prefontaine said, “A lot

of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish him-self into an exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more.”

During his time at Oregon, Prefontaine set the American record in the 5,000 meters and earned his spot on the Olympic team in 1972. In the fi-nals, Pre gained the lead in the last mile and re-mained in first with 150 meters to go. But then something happened that rarely occurred in a Prefontaine race; he got caught. He was passed by three runners in the final 150 meters, leaving him off the podium.

At the time, Americans assumed Prefontaine would be back for the 1976 Olympics in Montreal to take another run at the gold. Tragically, that is an opportunity that Americans never got to see.

PREFONTAINEcontinued on page 4

Steve Prefontaine’s long-distance lore has come to stand for the Oregon track program itself

4 OregOn Daily emeralD TuesDay, June 19, 2012

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preston Hiefieldfreelance reporter

The legacy of Steve “Pre” Prefontaine stretches beyond the walls of Hayward Field. One of the tributes that the city of Eugene has paid to arguably the biggest athletic star in University history was constructing a beautiful trail system in Prefontaine’s honor.

Pre’s Trail is located on the north side of the Willamette River in the shadows of famous Autzen Stadium. It is a figure-eight layout that stretches about four miles among tall trees, open fields and several pond-side and creek-side stretches.

One of the main conveniences of Pre’s Trail is the fact that it is not a typical concrete path that is hard on the knees of runners and walkers. Inspired by the European trails that Prefontaine loved so

much, the trails are comprised of bark and wood chips that are a softer running surface.

Pre’s Trail is just one of many in the vast running trail system across Eugene, but it is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. The scenery is beautiful, and it allows runners to experience the nature that Eugene has to offer. The trail also passes Alton Baker Park which is a great spot to stop for a rest, sit on a bench and watch the ducks in the ponds.

Remembering Steve Prefon-taine is an important thing to the Eugene community. Everyone knows where the trail is — and for runners there is nowhere better to stretch the legs and get a good run going.

While the trail is a favorite of locals and the University track team, one more thing is for certain: Pre would have loved [email protected]

Pre’s Trail: An ode to the European trails he once lovedFound just north of the Willamette River, near Autzen Stadium, the trail allows runners to experience Eugene’s greenery

OUTDOORS

SCENE

On May 30, 1975, Prefon-

taine was returning home in

his car after dropping off a

friend just east of the University

campus near Hendricks Park.

At that time, for reasons that are still a mystery, Pre’s con-vertible skidded off the road, hit a rock wall and flipped over on top of him. He was not im-mediately killed, but before a

witness could get help it was too late. Steve Prefontaine was dead at age 24.

Today there is a stone memorial at the rock wall where the crash took place,

referred to simply as “Pre’s Rock.” It is a monument in Eu-gene and gets visited by somber track enthusiasts every year.

Prefontaine left this world at far too young an age, but what

he did in his life is what truly will be remembered.

His spirit, his desire and his commitment to greatness still reside at the core of Track Town.

Steve Prefontaine is Track

Town and his legend lives on.

Go Pre.

specialsections@ dailyemerald.com

PREFONTAINEcontinued from page 1

tess freeman PHOTOGRAPHERA runner enjoys a jog through Pre’s Trail. A bit north of the University, the trail offers a sense of Eugene that track phenom Steve Prefontaine would have loved.

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SCENE

becky metricknews editor

sam stitesnews reporter

As students leave in hordes after finishing a school year — or in some cases, after graduat-ing — the campus community is not anticipating the usual calm of summer. Instead, staff, students, business owners and residents are preparing for thousands of visitors to flock to Eugene for the 2012 Olympic Trials. These visitors, athletes, coaches and officials have all been looking for a place to stay, which has lead to a number of unusual options to pop up.

Starting back in early May, students and residents started posting open rooms on Craigslist, with “Olym-pic Trials” in big letters in the titles. Ranging from $75 a night to full rent prices of houses around campus — up $2805 — people are opening

up their homes to whoever is willing to pay for the com-forts of home. Some are sim-ply looking for roommates, others are leaving for the duration of the trials.

Up to the week before, there were up to 16 posts on a giv-en day hoping to help people secure last-minute housing.

I f p e o p l e wa n t e d something a little more reliable than a college student’s sublet, they could rent a room in the residence halls.

Back in 2008, the organizers of the Trials were concerned that there would not be enough space for all the visitors expect-ed to come to the town. It was then that they decided to open up the residence halls.

“We tried it in ’08 and we ended up having over 600 spectators signed up to come,” said Tom Driscoll, the as-sociate director of housing. “We actually started to get requests about a year and a half ago from people that had stayed here in ’08, wanting to come back.”

This year, they’re looking at housing more than 700 people

in Hamilton alone for the Tri-als. In Carson, they’ve allotted room for Trials officials, and in the LLC they’ve reserved room for athletes. These arrange-ments are on top of the usual summer plans for camps and conferences, all coming in at the same time.

This year, they even have people on a waiting list. Peo-ple were directed to Housing through the Travel Lane Coun-ty website, where they applied and committed to at least a four-day stay.

“As in ’08, there are a lot of people who are really hard-core track fans,” Driscoll said. “There’s a lot of folks end up hanging out in the cafeteria, talking track. It ended up being a really nice community group.”

Of course, some of the ho-tels in the area are going to be inviting hundreds of guests into their rooms for the event.

Sarah Smith, general manager at the Holiday Inn Express on Franklin Blvd., said that her business was home base to a throng of elite athletes during the 2008 tri-

als and will host a multitude of track and field stars again this year thanks to a partner-ship with the agency National Travel Systems.

She explained that the entire hotel will geared toward those competing and those looking to watch the Olympic talent at work.

“This year we still have a lot of elite athletes that are staying with us, but the mix is a little bit different with coaches and spectators as well,” Smith said. “All our staff will be wearing TrackTown shirts, we have spe-cially made key cards, we have a welcome sign, and we plan on having a reception to greet all those staying with us to make them feel at home during the trials.”[email protected]

Visitors have many housing optionsHotels, University Housing open doors to Trials guests

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Tuesday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.Wednesday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

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patrick maleesports editor

With the Olympic Trials being held in eugene, home of the moniker “Tracktown usa” and a university of Oregon program perennially ranked in the nation’s top 25, the temptation would be to seek out all of Oregon’s stars and follow them at Hayward Field.

There will be plenty of opportunities to do that, with Oregon alumni (andrew Wheating, ashton eaton) and locals (stanford’s russell Brown) competing in an array of events. But contrary to what you might have heard, the track world does not revolve entirely around eugene. Here are a few other marquee names to be aware of as you head through the gates on day one.

The nation’s bestNATIONAL STARS

A cast of big names, led by Lolo Jones and Tyson Gay, fill up this year’s Olympic Trials with plenty of storylines

sam stitesnews reporter

The Olympic Trials bring excitement and delirium to the Eugene area with athletes and spectators pouring in from all areas of the country.

Apart from the spectacle of many notable track and

field figures, the trials of-fer the University area with other benefits outside of Hayward Field.

The organization Travel Lane County has estimated that the Olympic Trials will bring in big money to local businesses that would usually see a slump in sales during the summer due to most students being absent.

Lisa Lawton, director of com-munity relations at Travel Lane County, said that the organi-zation has based its calcula-

tions on the massive amount of out-of-state travelers the tri-als attracted back in 2008. She and local business owners are expecting similar effects this year.

“The economic impact that is estimated for the 2012 Olympic Trials is $31 million,” Lawton said. “We expect about 20,000 spectators and 7,500 fes-tival guests, based mainly on visitors from out of the area.”

Local Track Town business owners are preparing for the economic boom in their own

ways, each in anticipation of heightened traffic during the trials.

Jason Boyer, co-owner of the Wild Duck Cafe, said that he and business partner Bob Jensen capitalized on the boom during the 2008 trials by hold-ing events at their restaurant formerly known as the Villard Street Cafe.

Boyer explained that many vendors and small business owners that travel to Eugene to set up shop during the trials

needed a place to call home. With extra space in front of their location, Jensen and Boyer decided to lease out their parking spaces to allow mer-chants a marketplace to show-case their products in collabora-tion with their restaurant.

“We handled the marketing aspect different than most other businesses,” Boyer said. “We brought people in through more tactile strategies.”

Boyer said that he plans to market his restaurant in the

same fashion this year by ex-tending their patio and allowing vendors to sell their products outside the Wild Duck Cafe.

“We’re elated with the op-

portunity to have the Olympic

Trials so close.

The trials are one of the big-

gest things for the business

owners in Eugene,” Boyer said.

“We expect to have a great

time over the next two weeks.”[email protected]

trials’ economic impactLocal group estimates $31 million economic effect from Trials

tyson Gay (clermont, fla.):

Even the most ignorant track neophyte will recognize Gay’s name. The Clermont, Fla., native is set to compete in both the 100 and 200 meter races, and will look to defend his 2008 Olympic Trial crown in the 100 meters (his personal best time of 9.69 is the current United States record, and second in history only to Usain Bolt). The 2012 Trials will also serve as the jump-off point in Gay’s road to Olympic redemption after a disappointing 2008 showing in Beijing. Nursing a hamstring injury, Gay failed to qualify for the finals in either the 100 meters or the 4×100 meter relay. The London games provide another chance at history for Gay, and his path begins in Eugene.

competing in: 100 meters, 200 meters

lopez lomong (lake oswego, ore.):

Though technically an Oregonian from Lake Oswego, Lomong’s story and travels have made him a nationally recognized figure. A native of South Sudan, Lomong moved to the United States at the age of 16 as a member of the Lost Boys of Sudan. His running career quickly took off from there, and in 2008 he qualified for the Olympics in the 1500 meter race. He would go on to serve as the flag bearer for the United States in Beijing, and was eventually eliminated in the semi-finals of the 1500. He’s back this year, sporting a new personal best of 3:32:20 in the 1500m and looking to punch a second ticket to the Olympics.

competing in: 1500 meters

Walter dix (fort lauderdale, fla.):

2008 was an especially kind year to Dix, the only American track athlete to win at least two medals at the Beijing Olympics. A bronze medalist in both the 100 and 200 meter races, Dix returns to Eugene looking to make Olympic noise once again at the age of 26. In Beijing, Dix’s 9.91 in the 100 meters was bested by only Bolt of Jamaica and Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago, and also set what was at the time a personal record (he has since improved to 9.88). The bronze medal in the 200 meters came in anti-climatic fashion, as two runners were disqualified to vault Dix from fifth to third. Most recently, Dix was timed at a wind-aided 9.85 in the 100 meters .


allyson felix (los angeles, calif.):

Competing in the 200m and 400m races, Felix will look to add another chapter to what has been a career splashed with highlights. Already a two-time Olympian, having partici-pated in the 2004 Athens games at just 18, Felix arrives in Eugene with three medals to her name. In the 2008 Beijing games, she was part of a gold medal 4×400 team while also taking silver in the 200 meters individually. Perhaps most impressively, she was also a 200 meter silver medalist as a rookie in 2004. And Felix is still setting new personal bests, with the latest coming in the 400 meter race back in 2011 (49.59).


lolo Jones (des moines, iowa):

Perhaps best known for her lively Twitter account and continuous quest for dates, Jones is also a world-class hurdler who is looking to rebound from a tremendously disappointing 2008 performance in Beijing. Jones famously tripped and finished seventh in the 100 meter hurdle race — and her status as the favorite going in made it all the worse. She’ll take the first step to vanquishing that memory at the Trials.

competing in: 100 meter hurdles

lashawn merritt (suffolk, Va.):

What would the Olympic Trials be without a little controversy? Merritt exploded onto the world scene with gold medals in both the 400 meters and 4×400 meter relay in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but went on to fail three drug tests in 2010. He was punished with a two-year ban from track, and so the 2012 Olympic games in London will serve as a chance for redemption for Merritt. He returned to Eugene back on June 3 in the Prefontaine Classic and picked up right where he left off in 2008, winning the 400 meter race with a time of 44.91.

competing in: 400 [email protected]


Across from Campus on 13th

daVid liebermansports editor

1.men’s/women’s hammer throw

Seems like an odd place to start, right? But if you consider the growing popularity of the sport — combined with the fact that it is the opening event for the Olympic Trials — it becomes evident that the hammer won’t get the hype it deserves.

For those unfamiliar with the hammer throw, it involves the tossing of a heavy metal ball attached by wire to a handle. While the event dates far back into Scottish history, its modern version has been monitored by the IAAF (International Association of Athletic Foundations) since 1990. The winner is determined by distance of throw. A men’s hammer weighs 16 pounds while women toss one that’s 8.82 pounds.

This year, the men’s and women’s hammer throw will open the Olympic Trails — but won’t take place

in Eugene. Instead, the competition will be held in Beaverton, Ore., at Nike World Headquarters. While the event has a catchy marketing slogan — “Ham-mertime” — it’s no sure bet to attract a crowd remotely resembling the West grand-stands at Hayward Field.

So if you’re in Portland on June 21, or have the means to travel there, check out the hammer throw. You’re sure to learn a few new tips while wit-nessing the first steps that USA track and field takes towards London.

2.men’s/wom-en’s 10,000 meters

Oregonians, specifically Eugenians, love distance running. But even for those folks, 10,000 meters is a considerable distance. Simply put, 25 laps around the track is nothing to sneeze at.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t turn out for the event. Why? Because the 10K likely has more twists and turns to offer than any race. It’s an event where

even the most catastrophic mistake or strong final stretch can be neutralized with sound race strategy and solid strategic position.

On the women’s side, the U.S. returns two strong competitors: Shalane Flana-gan (the American Record Holder in the event and a 2008 Olympic Bronze Med-alist) and Kara Goucher (10,000-meter bronze medalist at the 2007 World Championships and 2008 Olympian).

While the men’s side is more open-ended, there is sure to be several elite run-ners — maybe even an Or-egon Duck or two — vying for a spot in London. If you can stomach a half hour or so glued to your seat in Hayward Field, you’re sure to reap the rewards.

3. men’s 110-meter hurdles/women’s 100-meter hurdles

Short-distance hurdles may not be the most over-looked category of events, but it’s definitely less of a marquee draw than

straight sprints or middle-distance competition.

The men’s 110-meter hurdles is a whirlwind event that displays top-end speed along with incredible agility and timing. Not only is the event an attention-grabber — the U.S. has some world-class talent in event that’s sure to attract the spotlight as well. The field includes up-and-comer Jason Richardson (Gold Medalist at the 2011 IAAF World Championships) pinned against the veteran Terrence Trammell (a Silver Medalist at the Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004).

The 100-meter hurdles represents the women’s counterpart. It packs the same short-lived drama, but will feature a much different group of competi-tors at Hayward. The field will see Ginnie Crawford (nee Powell, a two-time U.S. national champion in the event) face off with Lolo Jones. You may remember Jones from Beijing — she was favored to win the event in 2008 but tripped on the penultimate hurdle to finish in seventh place.

Jones is a two-time IAAF World Champion in the 60-meter hurdles.

4.triple jump

If you’re familiar with the long jump or high jump and find the events intriguing, the triple jump is your type of entertainment. The event is similar to the long jump but involves an intricate “hop, bound and jump” routine that distinguishes the sport from other field events. In the triple jump, the athlete sprints down a runway in a prescribed manner of footing before projecting himself into a sand pit, with maximal horizontal distance the ultimate goal.

Forget world-class competition — while the triple jump may offer some ground-breaking efforts, its appeal should be aesthetic and historical in nature. The event was a part of the original modern Olympics in 1896 and is truly a unique endeavor in the modern sporting landscape.

5. Javelin throws

While the U.S. may rouse

up some considerable com-

petition in the javelin, this

is another sport that should

appeal to the instinctual

sportsman hardwired into

your biology. The javelin is

one of the most simplistic

and well-known field events

in Olympic competition, but

is often overlooked.

The javelin throw stands not only as an individual event — it’s also included in the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon. It involves tossing a spear measuring approximately 8 feet, 2 inches in length. The winner is simply the com-petitor to toss the spear the farthest. The event doesn’t sound like a specta-tor sport, but watching a well-thrown javelin can be a mesmerizing experience. When the right combina-tion of factors — speed, angle, force, momentum — come together, the results can be [email protected]

Can’t-miss eventsAll eyes are already on the pole vault, 4x400m relays and 100m sprints. Here are five more events you need to watch


preston Hiefieldfreelance reporter

andrew Wheatingevent: 800m, 1500m coach: Vin LanannaHeight: 6’5”club: Oregon TC EliteWeight: 175sponsor: Niked.o.b.: 11/21/1987college: Oregon ’10currently resides: Eugene, Ore.pr: 1:44.56 (2010), 3:30.90 (2010), 3:51.74 (2010)Usa accolades:2nd place in the 800m at the 2008 Olympic Trials (1:45.03)collegiate accomplishments:2010 NCAA Outdoor 1,500m Champion (3:47.94)Two-time NCAA Outdoor 800m Champion – 2009 (1:46.21), 2010 (1:45.69)2010 NCAA Indoor 800m runner-up (1:48.40)2008 NCAA Outdoor 800m runner-up (1:45.32)notable Usa/World finishes:1,500m Outdoor: 3:34.39 in 2011 (4th in the USA, 33rd in the world), 3:30.90 in 2010 (1st in the USA, 4th in the world)To the surprise of many, Wheating focused more on soccer than track during his high school years at Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. He ran just two years of organized cross country and one year of track and field prior to arriving in Eugene. It’s safe to say he picked up the sport pretty quickly despite his minimal experience. In 2005, he was good enough to become the USA Track & Field Ju-nior Olympic cross country champion with a time of 14:54.01. One year later, during his first season of track and field as a senior in high school, Wheating ran the 1,500m in a time of 3:54.48 at the USA Ju-nior Championships, which earned a ranking of fourth nationally at the time. While at the University of Oregon in 2007, he competed in the 800m for the first time and finished the regular season with the ninth-fastest time in the nation among freshman (1:50.17).

Follow Andrew on Twitter: @AndrewWheating

ashton eatonevent: Decathloncoach: Harry MarraHeight: 6’1”club: Oregon TC EliteWeight: 185sponsor: Niked.o.b.: 01/21/1988agent: Paul Doylecollege: Oregon ’10currently resides: Eugene, Ore.PR: Decathlon 8,729 points (2011)Usa accolades:2012 USA Indoor Long Jump Champion – (26’5.5”)2011 USA Outdoor Champion (8,729)2009 USA Outdoor runner-up (8,075)Took fifth place in the 2008 Olympic Trials (8,122)

collegiate accomplishments:

Three-time Pac-10 Champion: 2008 (7,604), 2009 (8,091), 2010 (8,154)

Three-time NCAA Decathlon Champion: 2008 (8,055), 2009 (8,241), 2010 (8,457)

Home-field advantageThese six athletes all have connections to the state of Oregon. While they may not all bleed green and yellow, they all call Hayward Field home turf

Two-time NCAA Heptathlon Champion: 2009 (6,499), 2010 (6,499)notable Usa/World finishes:2012 World Indoor Gold medalist and Heptathlon world record hold-er: (6,645)2011 Outdoor Decathlon: (8,720, 1st in the USA, 1st in the world)2011 World Outdoor silver medalist (8,505)One of just four Ducks to ever eclipse 8,000 points in the decathlon, Eaton is a local kid from Mountain View, Ore., who is the youngest de-cathlete on Team USA. While attending high school, Eaton was a var-sity football player, wrestler and track star. In 2010, before his profes-sional career began, he broke Dan O’Brien’s heptathlon world record, and has broken his own record twice since then. Eaton is engaged to a member of the Oregon women’s track and field team, Brianne Theisen, who is battling for a spot on Canada’s Olympic team this summer.Follow Ashton on Twitter: @AshtonJEaton

nick symmondsevent: 800mcoach: Mark RowlandHeight: 5’10”club: Oregon TC EliteWeight: 165sponsor: Niked.o.b.: 12/30/1983agent: Chris Laynecollege: Willamette ‘06currently resides: Springfield, Ore.pr:800m (2010): 1:43.76Mile (2007): 3:56.72Usa accolades:Four-time USA Outdoor Champion: 2011 (1:44.17), 2010 (1:45.98), 2009 (1:45.86), 2008 (1:44.10)2008 – 2nd place in USA Indoor (1:46.96)2007 – USA Indoor Champion (1:48.73)collegiate accomplishments:Four-time NCAA DIII Outdoor 800m Champion – 2003 (1:49.51), 2004 (1:50.87), 2005 (1:49.87), 2006 (1:49.59)Three-time NCAA DIII Outdoor 1,500m Champion – 2003 (3:46.66), 2005 (3:54.20), 2006 (3:40.91)notable Usa/World finishes:2011 800m Outdoor: 1:43.83 (1st in the USA, 6th in the world)2010 800m Outdoor: 1:43.76 (1st in the USA, 8th in the world)Symmonds had a tremendously decorated career while running for Willamette University in Salem, Ore., winning a total of seven NCAA DIII titles during his time there. The Boise, Idaho, native qualified for his first Olympics in 2008 in front of a home crowd at Hayward Field. At the 2009 World Championships, Symmonds became the first American to qualify for the men’s 800m final since Mark Everett and Rich Kenah did so in 1997.Follow Nick on Twitter: @NickSymmonds

cyrus Hostetlerevent: Javelincoach: Christina ScherwinHeight: 6’2”club: Oregon TC EliteWeight: 215d.o.b.: 08/08/1986college: Oregon ’10currently resides: Eugene, Ore.pr: 83.16m/272-10Usa accolades:Placed 3rd at the 2011 USA Outdoors (77.84m/255-4)collegiate accomplishments:Two-time Pac-10 Champion: 2010 (77.21m/253-3), 2009 (76.32m/250-4)Two-time NCAA All-AmericanHolds the record for the Pac-10 and Oregonnotable Usa/World finishes:Placed 2nd in the 2011 Pan Am Games – 82.24m/269-9 (1st in the USA, 32nd in the world)2009 Outdoor – 83.16m/272-10 (2nd in the USA, 16th in the world)A graduate of Newberg High School about two hours north of Eugene, Hostetler played four sports for the Tigers but didn’t pick up javelin until his senior year. For the 2012 Olympic Trials, Hostetler will be participating both on the track and behind the scenes. When he’s not competing, he will work on the official website of the Olympic Trials doing everything from page design to graphic design.Follow Cyrus on Twitter: @chostetler15

russell brownevent: 1500m, mileclub: Oregon TC Elited.o.b.: 03/06/1985college: Stanford ’08currently resides: Eugene, Ore.pr:1500m: 3:35.70 – Mt. Sac Relays, Walnut, CA – April 14, 2011Mile: 3:51.45 – Prefontaine Classic, Eugene, OR – June 4, 2011Usa accolades:Represented Team USA at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in the 1,500mPlaced ninth at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene with a PR of 3:51.45

Competed at the 2008 Olympic Trials in Eugenecollegiate accomplishments:2007 Pac-10 Champion in the 1500mPlaced 3rd at the NCAA Championships in 2007 in the 1500m2007 NCAA Championships Indoor runner-up in the mileAnchored the 2007 National Champion Stanford Medley Relay Teamnotable Usa/World finishes:2011 Champion in the mile at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix (3:54.81)2009 set PR in the 1500m with a time of 3:37.32 – 7th in the USA that yearA native of Hanover, N.H., and a graduate of Hanover High School, Russell took third place in the 2003 US Junior Track and Field Cham-pionships by clocking a time of 1:50.16. Following his high school career, he took his talents to Palo Alto, Calif., where he became a nine-time All-American for the Cardinal. In addition to his success on the oval, he is also a decorated student; graduating from Stanford with a B.A. in political science and a master’s in sociology. This past year, Brown has experienced breakout performances, setting PRs in the indoor and outdoor mile, the indoor and outdoor 1500m, and the outdoor 800m.

lauren fleshmanevent: Distancecoach: Mark RowlandHeight: 5’8”club: Oregon TC EliteWeight: 122sponsor: Niked.o.b.: 09/26/1981agent: Ray Flynncollege: Stanford ’03currently resides: Eugene, Ore.pr:1500m – 4:05.62 (2007), 3000m – 8:43.92 (2007), 5000m – 14:58.48 (2008)Usa accolades:Two-time USA Outdoor 5000m Champion – 2006 (15:12.37), 2010 (15:28.70)Placed 2nd at the USA Outdoor 5000m in 2005 (15:16.80)collegiate accomplishments15-time NCAA All-AmericanThree-time 5000m NCAA Outdoor Champion: 2001 (15:52.21), 2002 (15:53.91), 2003 (15:24.06)Notable USA/World Finishes:2011 Outdoor 5000m – 15:00.57 (2nd in the USA, 21st in the world)2010 Outdoor 3000m – 8:46.97 (2nd in the USA, 28th in the world)2007 Outdoor 1500m – 4:05.62 (2nd in the USA, 22nd in the world)

After an incredible track career at Stanford, Fleshman transitioned into the professional ranks quite smoothly. Her personal record of 14:58.48 in the 5000m is the eighth-fastest time in U.S. history. She is an entrepreneur away from her profession in athletics, co-owning a gluten- and dairy-free energy bar called Picky Bars with her husband Jesse Thomas and one other business partner. She recently won the Aviva London Grand Prix with a time of 15:00.57 just seven days after a poor showing in Stockholm. Her hobbies consist of all things music: writing and singing songs as well as playing instruments.

Follow Lauren on Twitter: @laurenfleshman

[email protected]

EMERALD ARCHIVESNick Symmonds, a graduate from Salem’s Willamette University, was the NCAA DIII Champion in both 800m and 1500m three of his four years there.

EMERALD ARCHIVESAndrew Wheating, a 2010 University graduate, took second place in the 2008 Olympic Trials in the 800 meters and will look to improve this year.

2012 olympic trials preview

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